Salem Mother Pleads Guilty To Slashing Children's Throats
SALEM, Mass. (CBS/AP) — A Massachusetts woman charged with slashing her children's throats and setting fire to their apartment pleaded guilty.
Tanicia Goodwin, of Salem, appeared in Salem Superior Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, arson, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a child under 14, and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.
A judge sentenced Goodwin to a prison sentence of 20 to 25 years.
Authorities allege Goodwin slashed 8-year-old Jamaal and 3-year-old Erica inside their apartment in March 2012 then set it on fire.
Firefighters discovered that vents and sprinklers had been covered and the front doorknob had been removed.
Both children survived, but prosecutors said Friday that both children still suffer emotionally from the incident.
"This is one of the worst cases I've worked and I've been in the police department for over 30 years," Salem Police Officer William Jennings said. "I'm just glad the kids are alright."
Goodwin's lawyers and family members said she is mentally ill. She told police she was trying to "protect" the children when asked about her mental health, adding that she planned to commit suicide.
During her Friday court appearance, Goodwin said she has had mental health issues since she was nine years old. She added that she was diagnosed as bipolar, but told the judge she understands the case against her.
"While there is no amount of prison time sufficient to punish this heinous crime, I commend (Assistant District Attorneys Melissa) Woodard and (Kim) Faitella for finding an acceptable resolution for this case that spares the young victims the additional trauma of having to testify against their mother," Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.
"I hope that with the love and care of their parents and this case now behind them, they can achieve some normalcy and healing."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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