A mother from Kentucky has reportedly pleaded guilty to the murders of her young children, claiming she was influenced by social media to commit the act last year.
In November 2023, Maurice Baker Jr., aged 6, and Jayden Howard, aged 9, were shot in their home located in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, according to the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office. They passed away after arriving at the hospital.
Police have taken Tiffanie Lucas into custody and charged her with murder.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, almost a year after the tragic events, Lucas admitted guilt to two murder charges during a court session, according to reports.
On November 8, a witness discovered two boys with gunshot wounds alongside a firearm at Lucas’ residence, according to an arrest report.
Detective Richard Beahl, who arrived at the scene, witnessed Lucas fall on her neighbor’s driveway. He shared this during a court appearance shortly after Lucas was arrested, according to WHAS 11 and WDRB.
A neighbor caring for the children inside allegedly informed the police that Lucas had shot them.
In the early phase of the investigation, Lucas reportedly informed authorities that she had been “manipulated” by Facebook, the internet, and wireless connections into killing her children, referencing court testimony.
In court, Beahl stated that she reportedly claimed to have been influenced via Facebook, the internet, or Wi-Fi into her actions.
Read More: Arkansas Teacher Maintains Innocence after Alleged Inappropriate Contact with a Student; Faces Trial
According to Beahl, she reportedly stated it was “an accident.”
Lucas has entered a guilty plea, following a motion filed in Bullitt Circuit Court just a month prior, indicating that her lawyer was contemplating an insanity defense.
The document indicated that the defense intended to introduce “expert evidence concerning a mental disease, mental defect, or other mental condition” during the trial.
Family members of the children express a desire for the harshest possible sentence for her, though the reasons behind the defense’s shift remain uncertain.
Lucas has submitted an open plea, indicating that the judge will determine her sentence. Lucas will face sentencing next month, according to reports.
Judge Rodney Burress stated that the charges she admitted to could result in sentences ranging from 20 to 50 years each, or potentially a life sentence.