Mum Slashes Children’s Throats to Quiet Them
A young mother in Washington state has been charged with attempted murder after authorities say she cut her children’s throats in an attempt to keep them quiet, CNN reports.
Christina Booth called 911 to report that her three children were crying nonstop and “needed medical attention,” according to a recent probable cause filing.
The 28-year-old and her husband, Thomas Booth, have three children, a 2-year-old and 6-month-old twins.
When officers arrived at the Olympia, Washington, home Saturday night, they found a troubling scene. As spelled out by a local prosecutor, police saw the twins on the couch crying “uncontrollably” and “bleeding from their necks.”
One officer then went upstairs and found the couple’s 2-year-old in bed, under the covers with “dry blood all over her.”
All three were taken to a local hospital, where, CNN affiliate KOMO reports, they underwent surgery. They are now in stable condition and will be placed in protective custody.
In their probable cause filing, authorities paint a picture of a mother overwhelmed and suffering from postpartum depression.
A judge set bail for Booth at $3 million, KCPQ, another CNN affiliate, reported.
The night that ended in tears and blood began with wine and a movie.
In the probable cause filing, Thomas Booth told investigators he had two “large glasses” and his wife had at least the same amount.
“Thomas said he was feeling intoxicated,” the document reads “and Christina was intoxicated to the point that she was slurring her words.”
As the movie wrapped up, Thomas Booth told police, his wife took the toddler upstairs to put her to bed, but then “a short time later Christina came down the stairs in only her underwear crying and screaming.”
Christina Booth, like her husband, spoke to authorities without an attorney present. Her story differs from her husband’s slightly, a local prosecutor said.
She told a police detective that she was having “a really rough time” taking care of her three children. She said that her husband “never helps” and that he “gets very annoyed when the children cry and make noise.”
Like her husband, Christina Booth said they were watching a movie and she went to put the toddler to bed just before the movie ended. She then told authorities that the twins started crying and “she hit her breaking point.”
In the probable cause document, a prosecutor says she confessed to the crimes of which she stands accused, saying “she knew if she killed all the kids the house would be quiet for Thomas.”
“During the interview, Christina broke down crying several times, yelled about Thomas never helping with the kids” the document says. “Christina made the comment ‘they will be quiet now’ several times.”
Thomas Booth told police that his wife has been “very stressed out raising the children” and that she took medication for postpartum depression. He also said she “always takes the children out of his presence if they cry.”
The couple’s account differs in where the attack on the twins took place.
Christina Booth told authorities she carried them downstairs after attacking her toddler and cut their necks while they lay on the couch. Her husband told police he found the babies upstairs with injuries to their necks and brought them downstairs to render first aid.
Thomas Booth has not been charged, and KOMO reports that police do not suspect he played any kind of role in the violence.
KOMO reports he’s an active-duty soldier who was recently deployed overseas.
Neighbors described Christina Booth as sweet, vivacious and “a loving mother.”
Tiffany Felch, who has spent time with the pair, told KOMO, “I would have never suspected that she would be a person to take this kind of a drastic action. I can’t imagine what stress she must have been under to cause her to do such a thing.”
KOMO reported that neighbors say Christina Booth was normally social, but changed after giving birth to the twins.
Neighbor Tammy Ramsey expressed concern to KOMO about the potential for missed opportunities to help the family.
“Why weren’t we knocking on the door?” she said. “I think that we need to rally and love to understand and not to judge.”
Slash ur children’s throats one after the other is cruel! May God forgive u and the children taken away from u.
Sm pple re nt suppose to be called parents. Gosh wht a world
Depression can lead to anything o. Thank God the children are ok.
That’s very cruel. This woman shouldn’t have been a mum.
Wht an amt of stress cud mak a mum take a knife n slash her 3 children’s throat one after d oda. Her mental status shud b checked.
Wow, she must have had a mental illness that was undiagnosed
This is ridiculous…nawa ooo
JezzzZ whats wrong with this woman? so devilish
At least,they r Alive and ok.Thank u jesus
That is one of the dangers of postpartum depression if not properly handled.
Mental woman
Why so much evil dis days
So sad. I wish she didn’t do that and I bet it’s from the husbands napping that must have pushed her to do so
Nawah thank GOD they r alive
Never let anyone suffering from depression to be alone. it could be deadly
Hmmmmmmmm God have mercy
If she’s suffering from depression, that means she’s not fit to take care of those kids, the authority should take the kids from her and find her some help. Thank God they survived the horrific experience.
Jeeezzz, some women are not supposed to have children, she should be taken to a mental home n the children handed over to a more capable hand*furious
What sort of depression can cause a woman to cut her children’s throat? I guess she’s insane gush
OMG!!! She is possessed with an evil spirit.
May God help mothers, its not easy nursing babies without help from others. Thank God d kids r alive. She needs urgent treatment for her condition bfor she do worst thing.
Postpartum depression..very dangerous.It’s even worse when you don’t get any help.Thank God her kids are alive.But cutting your kids’ throat one after the other?..lawd
I guess she is sick. I think she needs a shrink.!
Poor woman, how is she going to live wt herself after what she did to those kids? Thank God they are all ok.I pray she gets the needed help
Yes, depression is not of God. This happens too often to take it lightly…especially with mothers and children. Thank God they are okay
Why are these babies going 2 where they are not wanted.Tjey shd come 2 me pls.
Both of them(couple) are mentally ill
Each time I read stories like des,I keep wondering if de woman actually carried de pregnancy for 9mnths.Thank God de kids are alive.
ThankGod d kids r alive,thats my concern
What a story………thankgod they are all alive
Tank God d children are now ok
judging you o but you should hav given them out for adtption
Dis whites can do anytin SMH
She is really depressed and stressed out and has reached her breaking point…serious counselling is needed
hmmmmmmmmmmmm
may God not let us see depression in life, especially the one after child birth, its terrible