Will The Children Be All Right? 9 Shocking Acts of Abuse by Maternal Figures Over The Summer of 2026
Those who have seen or heard news stations cannot help but hear about the Lindsay Clancy trial, currently ongoing following the murders of her children, Cora, Dawson, and Callan Clancy on Jan. 24, 2023. Judge William F. Sullivan oversaw a similar case in 2018 featuring mother Latarsha Sanders from Brockton, Massachusetts; she was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Her previous sentencing and conviction for first-degree murder of her 2 children, 8-year-old Edson, and 5-year-old La’son, have been overturned, and a new hearing will be held as they look at the years’ worth of documentation the jury never knew existed.
These two cases and their similarities led to a search that resulted in 9 horrifying cases of child abuse or murder at either the hands of their mother or jointly between the mother and another family member this summer.
Disclaimer: Difficult Material Involving Children
The following article will mention cases that may have suicide or self-harm. If you or a loved one is suffering from thoughts of harming themselves or others, please text or call 988 and speak with someone who can help. This service is free and can help with mental health, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.
The contents of this article deal with real-life events of a delicate nature; please use caution as the following information may be upsetting.
3 Children Returned to Their Father
When: June 6, 2026
Where: Keizer, Oregon
Chardonnay Marie Benavidez, 32 years old, was arrested following a call to 911 where she reported that her children were fading in and out of consciousness following an attempt to kill them and herself with carbon monoxide. When officers arrived on the scene, members of the fire district were required to vent the garage before they could enter due to the high concentration of carbon monoxide.
The 4-year-old boy and twin 2-year-old boys were taken to the hospital, as well as the mother, Benavidez. The children were then cleared and released to their father on June 7, 2026. KGW8 reported that as of July 15, 2026, Benavidez is out on bail and is charged with three counts of attempted murder.
4 Children Dead In Murder-Suicide
When: Based on investigative reports, June 10, 2026
Where: Mechanicville, New York
64-year-old Grandmother, Amy Steadman, and 44-year-old Mother, Sarah Myers, were found dead in an upstate New York apartment following what investigators called a family murder-suicide. Myers’ 4 children, Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon, 10 years old, Hudson Harmon, 11 years old, and Harper Harmon, 13 years old, were found dead on June 23, 2026, after repeated wellness checks went unanswered.
Police Department Chief William Rabbitt and investigators found the deaths had been planned since as early as June 5, 2026. Texts from Steadman and Myers indicate the murder suicide happened on June 10, 2026, as they discussed how to use previously purchased sleep aids and prescription medication. Based on Rabbitt’s observation, Gavin Harmon appeared to defend himself, as there appeared to be multiple knife wounds.
Physical Abuse
When: June 18, 2026
Where: Gainesville, Florida
Jessica Wilson had been staying at a friend’s, who ended up being a witness to the abuse of her 2-year-old toddler daughter. According to the witness’ statement to deputies, Wilson woke her friend with the daughter in an unresponsive state; the witness administered CPR. The mother allegedly admitted to beating the child with a belt, punching her, and stomping on her back.
She reportedly told deputies she knew she went too far. Medical staff tried to help the child when she was brought to the hospital, with observations showing skull fractures and bruising to the head, chest, and back. News reporting from KTRE indicates she is in jail without bond.
3 Children Cry Out For Help
When: June 23, 2026
Where: Browns Summit, North Carolina, North of Greensboro
Sabrina Lauren Spruill, 40 years old, was arrested on June 23, 2026, and is facing 13 criminal charges related to child abuse. WFMY News2 obtained court records detailing a witness calling 911 after hearing children scream for help. The records indicate the living conditions were filthy, with no bedding or access to food.
The charges against Spruill include assault by strangulation, child abuse resulting in serious injury, assault on children under 12, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, and communicating threats. Spruill was also accused of pouring hot wax and strangling her three children, aged 8, 7, and 4. At the time of WFMY News2 reporting, her bond was raised to $250,000.
Neglect And Abuse of 4 Children
When: June 28, 2026
Where: Augusta, Georgia
Sanobia Gooden, 27 years old, and Mayhue Wimberly Jr., 38 years old, are being held without bond, charged on four counts of cruelty to children. Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the two abused and neglected 4 boys, revealed after an unresponsive 3-year-old was taken to the Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. He was then diagnosed as malnourished and had multiple scratches, bruises, and scars.
The unresponsive 3-year-old child, identified as Demtrius Good, was pronounced dead on Sunday afternoon at 1:09 by the Richmond County Coroner, Mark Bowen. Three boys, ages 1, 2, and 4, were transported to the hospital with the same diagnosis. The four counts of child cruelty in the first degree could be upgraded based on the suspicious death of Demtrius, but Channel 6 News WJBF did not have further details.
Smothered To Death
When: July 27, 2026
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Makenzie D. Critton smothered her 7-month-old daughter and faces charges of physical abuse of a child and repeated acts of physical abuse resulting in death. A criminal complaint, reported by WISN 12 News, showed Critton had called 911 and informed the dispatcher that the child was not moving or responding. When emergency responders arrived, they could not find a pulse and administered CPR. After approximately 20 minutes, they regained a faint pulse and rushed to Children’s Wisconsin.
Lifesaving measures were administered for 24 minutes before being pronounced dead at 12:26 PM. The criminal complaint detailed Critton informing authorities she had explained her exhaustion after staying up until 5 AM following a party. Around 10 AM, the infant would not stop crying, even after an attempt to give her a bottle, which was when Critton was said to smother the infant’s face into her chest until she stopped crying or moving and went back to sleep once she put the baby in a car seat.
The criminal complaint includes details from multiple prior instances where relatives and a friend of the family witnessed Critton smother, hit, and shake the infant in the weeks before the child died. Critton admitted to the previous attempts, saying she expected the child to start breathing again. The infant’s blue appearance had become normal to her, according to the complaint.
Malice Murder And Cruelty To Children
When: August 3, 2026
Where: Canton, Georgia
Devorah Diaz Perez, 18, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree cruelty to children, and three counts of reckless conduct as of August 20, 2026. Her boyfriend, 22-year-old Celso Edison Vicente Y Vicente, was arrested on August 3, 2026, and charged with malice murder and first-degree cruelty to children following the death of her 2-year-old son. There are limited details available, as the department is withholding information during the ongoing investigation.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported the information released by the Canton Police Department via press release. The Canton Police Detective, Erin Fulenwider, is asking that anyone with information please call 770-720-4883.
Child Survives – Expected To Recover
When: August 6, 2026
Where: Mandan, North Dakota
Kailey Erhart, 22 years old, is facing attempted murder, two counts of murder, two counts of terrorizing with a dangerous weapon, three counts of aggravated assault, and a misdemeanor count of domestic violence following an incident on Aug. 6, 2026. Two children aged 3 years old and a 5-month-old died; a third was seriously injured with wounds near their neck.
Mandan Police officers were sent to the residence after a report was made that the mother had stabbed her children. Upon entering the home, they found Erhart covered in blood with a knife to her throat. Before being taken into custody, she dropped the knife and told them to kill her.
Based on the GoFundMe update from the children’s paternal grandmother, Melissa Erhart, 1-year-old Colton had surgery and is expected to have a complete recovery.
Abuse And Arson
When: August 16, 2026
Where: Miami-Dade, Florida
Meliza Campos-Sanchez, 26, set a fire inside her kitchen using an open flame, combustible materials, and ignitable liquids, according to an arson affidavit People acquired. The investigation was initiated on Aug. 16, 2026, after Miami-Dade Fire Rescue went to the home. The investigators found and photographed a red lighter, a silver mask, and a clear plastic bottle that contained what they believe to be rubbing alcohol.
It was learned after the fact that Campos-Sanchez posted videos to Instagram showing her lighting candles and pouring melted wax on her leg, then onto the hands of her two daughters. Her husband, Yusniel Cue, said he contacted police at the urging of one of her friends after she told him about the videos. The eldest daughter, 6 years old, told investigators that she and her younger sister, 3 years old, saw Campos-Sanchez set fire to clothing and throw a glass mug to the floor and dance before using a bowl of water to extinguish the flames.
Campos-Sanchez has been charged with child abuse, child neglect, and first-degree arson.
