Valrico, FL – A Florida mother, Shaniece Willingham, allegedly tried to drown herself and her three children in the deep end of a community pool early Wednesday morning. Prosecutors say she livestreamed the horrific event on Instagram, revealing her intentions to end her life and kill her children at the same time.
Incident Overview
Willingham, 24, is accused of attempting filicide (the killing of her children) after giving a “last goodbye” during an Instagram livestream. The children, aged 3, 2, and 8 months, were loaded into a wagon and taken to the community pool, where Willingham allegedly tied them together with a rope before hurling them into the water.
The disturbing broadcast prompted her relatives to rush to the pool, where Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies found the family alive after being pulled from the pool by concerned relatives.
Details of the Livestream
Court documents reveal that during the livestream, Willingham stated she could no longer take the pain and that her children would be “safe with God.” She explained that she loved them so much but couldn’t leave them behind.
“This was her ‘last goodbye,'” the court filing said, “and she could not take it anymore.”
The Instagram livestream showed Willingham walking her children to the pool, with her FaceTime conversation showing her mother as she prepared for the tragic act.
Attempted Filicide and Family Response
Prosecutors stated that the incident occurred after Willingham had a heated argument with her mother earlier in the evening. Willingham was allegedly upset that her children’s father refused to pick them up after she was asked to leave her mother’s house.
According to prosecutors, Willingham called her mother on FaceTime before going to the pool, expressing her love. She then used a rope to bind herself and her children together, intending for them all to drown together. Prosecutors also highlighted that none of the individuals involved knew how to swim.
Quick Response and Rescue
Thanks to the timely intervention of family members who saw the livestream, Willingham and her children were pulled from the pool and rushed to safety. Law enforcement arrived at the scene around 1:30 a.m., finding all four still alive.
Mother’s Confession
After being rescued, Willingham allegedly confessed to law enforcement that her goal was to “end her life and kill her children at the same time.”
She admitted using the rope that was attached to a life ring – a poolside flotation device – to ensure they could all drown together.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Willingham has been charged with attempted murder and is currently being held without bond. Her pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for Sept 29.
“This incident is nothing short of horrific,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The fear and betrayal these innocent children must have felt, at the hands of the one person meant to love, care for, and protect them, is unimaginable.” He condemned the act as a deliberate act of cruelty and emphasized that there is no justification for the attempted murder of her own children.
Conclusion
This shocking case has left the community in disbelief, with officials and family members expressing their horror at the mother’s actions. Thankfully, thanks to quick-thinking family members, the children survived, and Willingham now faces serious legal consequences for her actions.
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