Florida woman who allegedly told child to kill newborn via a video game takes plea deal

PENSACOLA, Fla. (TCN) -- A woman has accepted a plea deal in an attempted murder case in which she allegedly instructed a child on how to kill a newborn. 

WEAR reports Tara Sykes, 37, had three homicide charges and one charge of child cruelty dropped as part of her deal. She pleaded no contest to a charge of child neglect and was sentenced to 11 months and 30 days in county jail, with 462 days credit for time served.

On Oct. 18, 2024, Sykes was arrested and charged with attempted murder for allegedly instructing a 10-year-old to drop a 2-month-old baby onto a tile floor to kill them. The infant suffered serious injuries after being dropped and police were notified, WEAR reported at the time.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the 10-year-old and Sykes were communicating on Roblox, an online gaming platform. Deputies alleged Sykes told the child how to kill the infant through various methods such as drowning before telling them to drop the baby on the floor. 

Sykes also allegedly told the child to kill the adults they were temporarily living with by cutting their throats and burning the house down, according to WEAR. Roblox allegedly told WEAR it had no proof the conversation took place on its platform. 

Sykes remains held without bond in connection with an unrelated child neglect case, WEAR reports. She and her husband allegedly allowed a 20-year-old man to continue to live in the home after learning he had impregnated her 14-year-old daughter.

Law & Crime reports Sykes is scheduled to appear in court again on April 8.

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