A 68-year-old woman in Florida has been taken into custody following allegations that she attempted to end the lives of her two adult sons. Authorities in Osceola County arrested Marilyn Elise Therrell after she reportedly confessed to intentionally administering a lethal overdose of medication to the men, both of whom live with severe autism.
The incident occurred at the family home in Kissimmee on September 8. Emergency responders were called to the residence following reports of an overdose, leading to the hospitalization of all three individuals. While the mother was discharged shortly after, both sons remained under medical care as of September 18. Officials from the
Legal proceedings and caregiving challenges
Following her release from the hospital, Therrell provided a statement to detectives on September 17. According to the sheriff’s department, she explained that the responsibility of providing full-time care for her sons had become overwhelming in the period following the death of her husband last year. Investigators allege that this distress served as the primary motivation for the attempted act.
Therrell is currently being held at the Osceola County Jail. She faces multiple serious charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult. As the legal process moves forward, local authorities have confirmed that arrangements are being made to transition the two men into state-supervised care once they are cleared for discharge from the hospital.
