'Voices' told mum to smother son, 5, so he 'wouldn’t go to hell'
A mum in Pennsylvania has been accused of killing her five-year-old son after "voices" commanded her to.
Jennifer L. Bowser from Pennsylvania has been arrested and faces charges including homicide, aggravated assault resulting in serious harm to a victim under age 13, and strangulation related to the death of young Samson Bowser.
Cops from Cresson Township Police Department and the Cambria County Detective Bureau attended Martha's Manor, a senior living facility, following a 911 call reporting an unconscious child. District Attorney Gregory Neugebauer shared these details during a news conference. Upon arrival, the boys in blue found the child unresponsive, estimating his time of death to be between several hours before but less than a day, according to Coroner Jeff Lees.
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The boy was found unresponsive in a home attached to an assisted living facility (WJAC)It's been revealed that Bowser and her son were staying at a residence attached to Marthas Manor, separated from the regular residents, as Bowser's own mum owned and operated this senior living facility.
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The official cause and manner of Samson's death will be confirmed after the coroner performs an autopsy on Tuesday afternoon. However, Neugebauer stated that the case is being treated as a homicide due to "witness statements, physical evidence at the scene, and clear observations of this little boy." He added: "Physical evidence at the scene was consistent with a suffocation-type death."
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The boy's mum faces a long time in jail (WJAC)Bowser has been taken to Cambria County Prison, where she is being held without bond. She was arraigned on Monday evening but has not yet hired a lawyer. Neugebauer told reporters that he couldn't discuss any statements Bowser allegedly made to authorities, but noted it was "fairly obvious" that mental health played "a big role" in what happened.
A criminal complaint obtained by Altoona, Pennsylvania, CBS affiliate WTAJ provided more details about the disturbing allegations against Bowser. According to the report, Bowser told investigators that "Kayla" was "trying to steal" her son and that a "voice" from a "machine box" commanded her to smother Samson so that "he did not go to H-E double hockey sticks [slang for hell]." Bowser reportedly spent the previous two days barricading herself and Samson in her bedroom because "Kayla" kept telling her that the boy was her child.
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The 41-year-old mum was convinced police were going to shoot her son (WJAC)On the evening of Feb. 4, Bowser reportedly claimed to hear voices warning her that "the cops were coming and were going to shoot through the wall and kill Samson if she didn't smother him," as per the complaint. According to the report, she told investigators she thought it'd be better for him to be smothered than shot.
Bowser confessed to using a blanket to cover the boy's face before placing her hand over his nose and mouth. It is reported that the child fought back, biting, hitting, and kicking her. She allegedly told police, "he was a strong little boy."
"To say this is a difficult case for the law enforcement is frankly an understatement," Neugebauer said. "Many of us are parents, and I think we all hugged our kids a little harder last night, and it made this morning a little tougher than usual."
Bowser is due to appear in court for her arraignment on February 20.
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