Background: News footage of the aftermath of the Nov. 3 crash that allegedly involved Delyshia Molette (WKRG). Inset: Delyshia Molette (Mobile County Sheriff”s Office).
A woman from Alabama attending her bond hearing was confronted with the tragic news that her son had died in a car accident she is accused of causing.
At 34, Delyshia Molette faced a manslaughter charge in court on Wednesday, related to a crash that occurred earlier in the week. Reports from WKRG, a local CBS affiliate, revealed police testimony that Molette was allegedly driving at speeds up to 90 mph when her vehicle collided with a light pole. Her two sons, ages 7 and 11, were passengers in the car, neither secured by seat belts. The 7-year-old succumbed to his injuries.
Molette learned of her younger son’s passing during the court proceedings.
Overcome with emotion upon receiving the heartbreaking news, Molette reportedly cried out, “Did you say he died? My 7-year-old died?”
Her 11-year-old son was transported to the hospital in critical condition, suffering from brain bleeding. Authorities indicated that Molette was attempting to evade Semmes police after allegedly assaulting an officer at a Publix store on the day of the incident. Surveillance footage from the store reportedly captured Molette committing theft, prompting an officer to intervene.
Police alleged that Molette assaulted the officer by attempting to gouge his eyes and biting his finger, resulting in the officer losing sensation. She then fled the scene on foot. Later, she was seen driving, leading to a police pursuit. According to court documents accessed by Al.com, the police halted the chase after observing her children in the vehicle.
According to WKRG’s reporting on the court hearing, Molette said that she fled police because she did not want her children to be taken by the state’s Department of Human Resources.
Molette was taken into custody following the crash and charged with several felonies in connection with the alleged incident at Publix as well as the crash, including manslaughter, resisting arrest, attempting to elude, robbery, and assault. She was denied bond during Wednesday’s hearing and remains in custody at the Mobile County Jail.
