A 68-year-old Florida woman is facing attempted murder charges after authorities say she intentionally overdosed her two adult sons, both of whom have severe autism, before allegedly trying to take her own life.
Marilyn Elise Therrell was arrested in Osceola County and charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The case began Sept. 8, when deputies responded to a home on Indian Ridge Trail South near Kissimmee after receiving a 911 call about a possible overdose.
Inside the home, deputies found Therrell and her two sons, ages 30 and 32, showing signs of an apparent medication overdose. All three were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Investigators returned to the case in the days that followed.
On Sept. 17, detectives interviewed Therrell, and authorities say she admitted that she had intentionally given her sons too much medication in an effort to kill them.
Investigators also allege that Therrell attempted to harm herself with medication afterward.
According to the sheriff’s office, Therrell told detectives that caring for her sons had become increasingly difficult since her husband died last year.
Authorities say both men have severe autism and require significant care.
The circumstances described by investigators are allegations, and Therrell has not been convicted.
There was at least some good news following the disturbing incident.
The sheriff’s office said Therrell and both of her sons are expected to survive. The two men remained hospitalized as of the latest update.
Once they are medically cleared for release, the brothers are expected to be placed under the care of Florida’s Department of Children and Families through Adult Protective Services.
In Florida, Adult Protective Services can become involved when officials believe a disabled or elderly adult is being abused, neglected, exploited or is unable to safely care for themselves. In some circumstances, DCF can seek a court order allowing services to be provided.
Therrell was booked into the Osceola County Jail and is awaiting the next steps in the criminal case.
Because the charges are felonies, the case will proceed through Florida’s circuit court system. Osceola County’s clerk explains that circuit courts handle felony criminal cases and that defendants are formally notified of arraignment dates after charges are filed.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not publicly released further details about what medications were allegedly involved or how much was administered.
For anyone in the United States experiencing a mental-health or suicide crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988.
Wow,
these women I see on the internet, who have been arrested for killing their children or trying to, are not aging well.