Nationwide — Diana Elizabeth Cullom, a 43-year-old mother from St. Petersburg, Florida, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after her 4-year-old son was found dead at home Tuesday afternoon. It was later determined that she killed the child by suffocation.
Officers responded after the boy’s 16-year-old sister returned home from school around 3:30 p.m. She found her mother in a bedroom holding the child on the bed and called for help.
Investigators described a disturbing scene inside the house. “There was blood at the scene and throughout the house,” the St. Petersburg Police Department said in a Facebook post.
According to WLBT, Cullom was taken to a hospital to be treated for multiple cuts that police believe were self-inflicted. After receiving medical care, she was released and taken into custody.
At first, officers believed the child may have been stabbed. The medical examiner later ruled out stab wounds and confirmed the cause of death was suffocation.
Police also found a note inside the home that they believe was written by Cullom. Authorities have not shared what the note contained.
Cullom now faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with her son’s death as the investigation continues.