Woman told child to drop baby on hard floor to end his life, authorities say

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA/Gray News) – A woman ordered a 10-year-old child to drop her 2-month-old baby onto a hard tile floor in an attempt to take his life, according to authorities.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 36-year-old Tara Alexis Sykes was arrested for “disturbing attempted murder.” She has been charged with attempted aggravated murder.

Investigators were called Thursday by a Gulf Coast children’s home about a 2-month-old infant who suffered serious injuries after a 10-year-old child dropped him on the kitchen floor, according to the sheriff’s office. During the investigation, it turned out that the older child communicated with Sykes through Roblox.

Investigators said Sykes told the 10-year-old about different methods to kill the baby. Sykes ordered the child to drown the infant in the bathtub, burn him with boiling water and throw him to the floor to kill the baby, authorities said.

Sykes also instructed the child how to kill the adults the 10-year-old child was temporarily living with by slitting their throats with a knife while they slept and burn down their home by spray-painting their bed sheets and setting them on fire.

Officials said the child splashed the sheets but was unable to fully follow instructions.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for over 40 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Sheriff Chip W. Simmons said. “It really bothers me about the circumstances and the idea that someone could think that way, let alone order these actions. There’s really something wrong with her.”

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