Mom Charged After Alleged Plan to Poison Kids in Car
Oregon Mother Charged with Three Counts of First‑Degree Attempted Murder
A 32‑year‑old woman from Keizer, Oregon, faces three charges of first‑degree attempted murder after allegedly attempting to suffocate her three preschoolers by filling their family car with exhaust fumes. Authorities say she convinced the children that they were having a sleepover, then turned on the engine in an attempt to kill them.
- Incident Location: Keizer, about 50 miles south of Portland
- Victims: Two twin boys and a four‑year‑old son, all found unconscious in the living room
- Method: A makeshift device routed exhaust into the vehicle’s interior; a firearm was also present
- Response: Police stopped her before completion, and she called 911 reporting the children were unconscious
- Medical Treatment: All four were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at a local hospital; the mother received psychiatric care and was taken to jail
Court documents reveal that the family divorced in 2024, with the mother awarded sole custody. The father expressed shock and frustration that hospital staff would not allow him to see his children, noting he learned of the mother’s intent only from a police report. He said she had mentioned emotional difficulties but never threatened the children.
Prosecutors allege that the mother had been researching suicide methods for about a week, considering several options before choosing this plan. A judge denied bail and set a future court date. The responsibility for the boys following this incident remains unclear.
