Mobile, AL – A 34-year-old Alabama mother, charged with manslaughter after a high-speed crash, learned during her bond hearing that her 7-year-old son had died in the collision she allegedly caused while fleeing from police. The tragic revelation left the courtroom stunned and underscored the devastating consequences of her actions.
The Incident: High-Speed Chase Ends in Tragedy
According to the Mobile Police Department, the crash occurred on Monday after Delyshia Molette, 34, allegedly fled from Semmes police who were pursuing her following an assault at a Publix grocery store. Investigators said Molette was driving at speeds reaching 90 mph when her vehicle crashed into a light pole, killing her 7-year-old son and injuring her 11-year-old.
Neither child was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Courtroom testimony revealed that Molette was attempting to escape officers after a confrontation earlier that day. Police said she attacked a Semmes officer, allegedly trying to gouge his eyes and biting his finger so severely that he lost feeling in it.
Molette then fled the store on foot, later entering her car with her two sons before leading police on a dangerous pursuit. Officers eventually discontinued the chase after realizing her children were in the vehicle, but moments later, Molette’s car crashed violently into a light pole.
Investigation and Police Testimony
During the hearing, Mobile police testified that Molette’s reckless driving directly led to the fatal crash. The impact destroyed the vehicle and caused fatal injuries to her younger son, while her older son sustained brain bleeding and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Investigators confirmed that the collision site showed no evidence of braking, indicating Molette made no attempt to slow down before the crash.
Molette was taken into custody at the scene and charged with multiple felonies, including:
- Manslaughter
- Robbery
- Assault
- Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement
- Resisting Arrest
Authorities said she will face additional charges pending the results of the ongoing investigation.
Emotional Court Hearing: Mother Learns Her Son Has Died
The bond hearing took a heartbreaking turn when Molette learned for the first time that her 7-year-old son had died in the crash.
According to courtroom witnesses, she appeared shocked when prosecutors detailed the outcome of the collision.
“Did you say he died? My 7-year-old died?” Molette reportedly shouted, breaking down in tears as deputies tried to calm her.
Her 11-year-old son remains hospitalized with serious brain injuries. Officials have stated that he continues to receive intensive care following the crash.
Statements from Authorities
Police said Molette had been under investigation for the shoplifting incident at Publix that triggered the chain of events. According to the Semmes Police Department, officers responded to a report of theft, during which Molette allegedly assaulted an officer before fleeing.
When asked about her actions, Molette told investigators she fled because she didn’t want her children taken away by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).
“She was trying to avoid losing custody of her children, but in doing so, she put both their lives at extreme risk,” said a Mobile County official familiar with the case.
Court Proceedings and Legal Consequences
During Wednesday’s hearing, the judge denied Molette bond, citing the severity of the charges and her flight risk. She remains held at the Mobile County Jail awaiting trial.
Prosecutors are reviewing evidence from both the Publix assault and the fatal crash, with the potential for additional charges related to child endangerment.
Legal experts say that if convicted, Molette could face decades in prison, given the combination of violent felony charges and the death of a child caused during a police pursuit.
Background and Community Reaction
The tragedy has left the Mobile community shaken, with residents expressing disbelief that a mother’s split-second decision could lead to such devastation. Local advocates have called for greater awareness of police pursuit policies and the risks they pose when children are involved.
Authorities have emphasized that seat belt usage remains a critical factor in preventing fatalities, especially among young passengers.
Conclusion
What began as a shoplifting incident escalated into a deadly chase that claimed the life of a 7-year-old boy and left his mother facing life-altering criminal charges. As her surviving son fights for his life in the hospital, Delyshia Molette faces a long legal battle — and the haunting knowledge that her actions caused her own child’s death.
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