• A 36-year-old Arizona mother, Erica C. Encinas, faces multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, after allegedly trying to kill her 8-year-old son with special needs using household items.
  • Police say Encinas planned the attack, making several failed attempts, and her 12-year-old daughter tried to intervene during the incident, suffering injuries herself.
  • Encinas remains in custody on a $250,000 cash-only bond, raising concerns about mental health resources for caregivers of children with special needs.

A 36-year-old mother in Mesa, Arizona, faces multiple felony charges after allegedly attempting to kill her 8-year-old son with special needs using various household items, including a rock, a trash bag, and a rosary as a garrote, according to court documents and police reports.

Erica C. Encinas was arrested on Monday and charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault-strangulation, aggravated assault on a minor, and child abuse. The charges stem from a domestic violence incident early Sunday morning. Mesa Police responded to a 911 call from Encinas, who reportedly told dispatchers she had attacked her son. First responders found the boy severely injured and transported him to a hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

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During questioning, Encinas allegedly admitted to police that she had been planning her son’s murder “for a while” and made several failed attempts that day. Prosecutors detailed the harrowing events during her initial court appearance, explaining that Encinas first tried to strike her son with a rock, then attempted to smother him with a trash bag, and finally used a rosary to choke him, Phoenix NBC affiliate KPNX reported.

Deputy County Attorney Ashley Stetson also revealed that Encinas initially planned to drown her son in a creek. She described the attack as “premeditated” and noted the presence of Encinas’ 12-year-old daughter, who tried to intervene. “Her other minor child did try to intervene... to save her sibling,” Stetson said, according to Phoenix Fox affiliate KSAZ. During the struggle, Encinas allegedly bit her daughter.

The judge presiding over the case acknowledged the serious nature of the allegations. “I don’t know if she’ll ever be in a situation where she will be in the same location [her children] are,” the judge stated, adding relief that Child Protective Services was already involved in the case. Encinas remains in custody on a $250,000 cash-only bond.

The incident has raised concerns about mental health resources for caregivers of children with special needs. While authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, the case highlights the challenges families may face and the devastating consequences when those challenges escalate.

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Encinas is expected to remain in custody as her case proceeds. If convicted, she could face decades in prison. The charges reflect the state’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, including children with disabilities, from acts of violence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with parenting stress or mental health issues, resources are available. Call the National Parent Helpline at 1-855-427-2736 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.

What are your thoughts on how the legal system handles cases like this? Share your insights and comment below. Don’t forget to share this article to raise awareness.

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