Mom tried to kill son with rosary and rock: Police
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Erica Encinas (Maricopa County Jail). Background: The home in Mesa, Arizona, where Encinas allegedly tried to kill her 8-year-old son (KTVK).

A 36-year-old mother in Arizona faces accusations of attempting to kill her 8-year-old son on multiple occasions using various household items, including tile flooring and a rosary, which she allegedly tried to use as a garrote.

Erica C. Encinas was arrested on Monday and faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault-strangulation, aggravated assault on a minor, and child abuse. According to the Mesa Police Department, officers responded at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Sunday to a residence on Broadway Road concerning a reported domestic violence incident. The caller, identified as Encinas, reportedly informed the emergency dispatcher that she had physically attacked her 8-year-old son, who is described as having special needs.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

First responders arriving at the location found the victim seriously injured and requiring medical care. Emergency personnel transported the child to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted with non-life-threatening injuries.

When questioned by authorities, Encinas admitted that she had been planning to murder her son “for a while” and had just made several unsuccessful attempts to do just that, Mesa NBC affiliate KPNX reported.

Prosecutors revealed additional disturbing details about the alleged incident during Encinas’ initial appearance in court. During the proceedings, Deputy County Attorney Ashley Stetson explained what the state believes Encinas did to her child, Phoenix CBS affiliate KPHO reported.

More from Law&Crime: ‘I was just trying to save us’: Mom dosed daughter with fentanyl because she thought a nonexistent serial killer was trying to murder them

“First, she tried to hit him over the head with a rock,” the prosecutors reportedly told the court. “That did not kill the victim, so then she tried to smother him with a trash bag, that did not work, your honor, then she tried to choke him with a rosary.”

Stetson stated that Encinas’ initial plan was to take her son to a nearby creek and drown him, per the report.

Additionally, the prosecutor told the court that Encinas’ 12-year-old daughter was present during the horrific attack and even tried to help her brother.

“In the process of that, her other minor child did try to intervene, your honor, to save her sibling, however, at the time, the suspect did fight the second minor victim, Stetson said, according to a report from Phoenix Fox affiliate KSAZ. Prosecutors said that during the brief struggle with the 12-year-old, Encinas bit the older child.

The judge reportedly responded to the allegations by saying he was glad that Child Protective Services was already involved in the case before stating, “I don’t know if she’ll ever be in a situation where she will be in the same location [her children] are.”

Following the hearing, Encinas was remanded to jail in lieu of $250,000 cash-only bond.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Former mayor and ex-state trooper receives verdict for accident

Inset left: A.J. Scott (City of Buchanan). Inset right: Isabella Chinchilla and…

Details Surface About Mother Accused of Attempting to Drown Her Three Children: DA

Left inset: Image of Shaniece Willingham provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s…

Police Issue Warning Following Increase in Counterfeit Currency

South Australian police have issued a warning over a surge in counterfeit…

Driver Who Intentionally Hit and Killed Two Kangaroos Avoids Jail Time

A man who deliberately swerved to kill two kangaroos with his ute…

Mother-in-Law Allegedly Hired Hit on Law Professor Son-in-Law; Jury Misconduct May Lead to Her Release

After nearly three weeks of testimony, a jury swiftly reached a verdict…

Wealthy Financier’s Personal Assistant Accused of Aiding in Scheme to Lure Models to Secretive Location: FBI

The personal assistant of retired financier Howard Rubin reportedly helped him lure…

Woman Sentenced for Torturing and Killing Boyfriend

Left: Gabrielle A. Stine (McLean County Jail). Right: Jamere Bew (Minor-Morris Funeral…

Man Selling Rolex Accidentally Shoots Woman While Displaying Gun: Police

Left inset: Leonardo Amezcua (Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: The Rolex…

Tragic Incident: Child’s Death in Car Window Leads to Mother’s Charges, Say Police

Inset: Kandice Grace (Fulton County Jail). Background: The street in Atlanta where…

Driver Fatally Strikes Two Teenage Girls on Bikes After Stalking Them

Two 17-year-old girls in New Jersey were killed on Monday when they…

Woman Allegedly Sets Ex’s House Ablaze After Being Stood Up for Concert, Police Report

Background: Peek Road in Hartselle, Ala. (Google Maps). Inset: Amy Beth Taylor…

Woman Reportedly Drives Jeep Through Multiple Cities, Injuring 11

Inset: Rachele Ricklefs (Macomb County Prosecutor”s Office). Background: The Walmart where Ricklefs…