Mom Drowns Son In Bathtub, Claims ‘Crazy Voices’ Made Her Do It
A Pennsylvania mom was arrested for drowning her son in the bathtub. Laurel Michelle Schlemmer, age 40, claims “crazy voices” encouraged her commit the heinous crime. Although she attempted to drown 6-year-old Daniel and 3-year-old Luke, Daniel managed to survive the assault.
According to the criminal complaint, Schlemmer sent her 7-year-old son to school on Tuesday morning. Following his departure, she decided to give her two younger sons a bath. During a police interview, the mother admitted that she eventually climbed into the tub “fully clothed,” as “crazy voices” were encouraging her to drown her sons.
Schlemmer explained that the voices told her “she could be a better mother” to her oldest son “if the other two boys weren’t around.” She also said her two younger sons “would be better off in heaven.”
The mother said she attempted to hold both children under the water. However, they continued to struggle. Schlemmer said she eventually sat on top of the boys to keep their heads below the water.
At some point during the assault, Schlemmer changed her mind. Although she removed the boys from the water, she was unable to perform CPR. When authorities arrived, both boys were unresponsive.
USA Today reports that both Daniel and Luke were transported UPMC Passavant Hospital. Unfortunately, 3-year-old Luke did not survive. Daniel was eventually transferred to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh at UPMC, where he is listed in critical condition.
Schlemmer was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, reckless endangerment, and tampering with evidence. She is currently being held without bond pending a preliminary hearing on April 11.
Neighbors were stunned to learn Schlemmer drowned her son in the bathtub. They described the family as Christians and said the mother often cared for her children at home while her husband worked.
Neighbor Jennie Leonard said she spoke with Schlemmer at the bus stop right before she drown her sons:
“I said hello to her and she seemed fine… When the kids got on the bus, everybody waved as we always do.”
As reported by Huffington Post, Schlemmer had previous contact with police in 2009. According to reports, the mother was charged with leaving a toddler alone inside a parked car. Although officers said the interior of the vehicle was more than 110 degrees, the child was not harmed in the incident.
The Pennsylvania mother is now facing numerous felony charges for drowning her son. Her husband Mark, who was at work during the assault, has not commented on the incident.
[Image via Shutterstock and WTAE News]
