Virginia mom accused of stabbing infant to death, texting fiancé details
05/13/2021 1:59 pm PDT
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (TCD) --
A mother of two was arrested after allegedly stabbing her infant son to death, severely wounding her 8-year-old daughter, and then texting her fiancé details of the scene.
Newport News Police Department officers responded to a call May 10 at 9:30 p.m. on the 300 block of Hilltop Drive regarding a female in distress, the department said in a statement.
When officers arrived, they reportedly found an infant and another child "suffering from multiple stab wounds." The officers performed first aid, but the infant, identified as a 10-month-old boy, succumbed to his wounds.
The Daily Press reports the criminal complaint against 35-year-old Newport News resident Sarah Whitney Ganoe states Ganoe’s 8-year-old daughter had “at least 50 stab wounds throughout her body, including evisceration to her abdomen." She was transported to a hospital and was listed in critical but stable condition on Tuesday.
Ganoe was charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of malicious wounding, and two counts of felony child neglect. She was booked into the Newport News City Jail then transferred to Central State Hospital, where she is still in custody.
According to the Daily Press, Ganoe reportedly "admitted to stabbing her two children" during an interview with police.
Newport News Police Chief Steven Drew said Ganoe allegedly texted her fiancé, the infant's father, and "described the scene that he would see when he came home."
Ganoe allegedly wrote the "house would be bloody when he got home," according to the Daily Press. The fiancé then called police regarding the text message he received from her.
Police reportedly found a pocket knife at the scene. Ganoe was transported to a hospital after being taken into custody to receive treatment for "superficial injuries," the according to Daily Press.
The injuries reportedly included "bruising to her right hand and arm" that occurred during the stabbing. She also reportedly had "one bite mark to her right forearm that she stated was from (the 8-year-old) biting her in an attempt to get free.”
According to the Daily Press, Drew said officers had responded to "domestic disturbance-type" calls at Ganoe's apartment "a couple of times already this year."
The police department said the investigation remains ongoing.
Ganoe’s arraignment was scheduled for May 20.
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