Lawrence County, IN – A tragic case has unfolded in Indiana where a 35-year-old woman, Brittany Medina, admitted to deliberately drowning her 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter in the bathtub to “send them to heaven.” The heartbreaking incident has left the community and authorities grappling with the devastating consequences of this act.
Medina formally pleaded guilty but mentally ill to two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death in the killings of Madelyn and Jackson Shelton. The case reveals disturbing details about Medina’s mental state and the circumstances leading up to the drownings.
Details of the Tragic Incident
On the afternoon of September 26, 2023, Medina entered the Lawrence County Jail and told authorities she had killed her young children. According to court records and Medina’s own statements, she drowned both children simultaneously in the bathtub inside their home on West Brook Street.
Medina described hearing voices commanding her to “send her children to heaven” to avoid them being tortured by sinister forces. She told investigators:
“The voices indicate the people would torture all three until the end of their lives if she didn’t send the children to heaven today.”
Prior to the drownings, Medina said she consumed half a gram of Xanax, a suboxone strip, and snorted three lines of cocaine. She had prepared breakfast and put on cartoons for the children earlier that day.
She then filled the bathtub with water and, after telling her children she loved them and kissing them, simultaneously held them underwater until they stopped moving. Medina admitted to the authorities that she knew her actions would result in their deaths. Afterward, she changed clothes and drove herself to the sheriff’s department to confess.
Legal Proceedings and Court Hearing
At a hearing overseen by Judge John M. Plummer III of the Lawrence County Superior Court, Medina entered her plea of guilty but mentally ill. The judge agreed to take the plea under advisement pending the sentencing scheduled for October 23, 2023, at 9 a.m.
The plea agreement may result in the dismissal of two murder charges, depending on the outcome of a presentence investigation ordered by the court.
Community Impact and Mental Health Concerns
This heartbreaking event raises significant questions about mental health and substance abuse.
- Brittany Medina’s reported use of Xanax, Suboxone, and cocaine the night before presumably exacerbated her mental state.
- The voices Medina claimed to hear, demanding she kill her children, suggest a severe mental health crisis.
- The children, Madelyn and Jackson, died tragically in their own home where they should have been safe.
“The water was completely still,” Medina reportedly said, highlighting the chilling nature of the crime.
Authorities found the children in the bathtub: Jackson unclothed and Madelyn dressed in a flowered onesie.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next in the Case?
With sentencing set for October, community members and legal experts await the court’s final decision on Medina’s fate. The case underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support systems to prevent such devastating tragedies.
Key upcoming points include:
- The outcome of the presentence investigation report.
- Judge Plummer’s final ruling on whether murder charges will be dismissed.
- Potential implications for legal treatment of individuals pleading guilty but mentally ill in similar cases.
Share Your Thoughts
This tragic story touches on the complexities of mental illness and the heartbreaking consequences for innocent lives. What do you think about this case and the mental health challenges involved? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
