Mother Said God Ordered Her To Kill Boys, Sheriff Says
Posted: Mon May 12, 2003 3:53 pm
Just saw a sad story
She needs to be locked up for a good long time!
Sheriff: Texas Woman Said God Told Her To Kill Sons
2 Boys Dead After Being Beaten With A Rock; Youngest Son In Critical Condition
POSTED: 8:00 a.m. EDT May 12, 2003
UPDATED: 2:04 p.m. EDT May 12, 2003
TYLER, Texas -- A woman accused of fatally beating two of her sons with rocks told 911 operators that God ordered her to kill the boys, an East Texas sheriff said Monday.
Deanna Laney Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith told the Dallas Morning News that Deanna Laney (pictured, left) said in her emergency call that she'd bashed her children's heads with a rock. Laney, 38, is being held in a Smith County jail under a suicide watch.
A Texas judge has now issued a gag order -- keeping investigators from talking about the case.
Sheriff's deputies were called to Laney's home early Saturday and found her 8-year-old son, Joshua Keith Laney, and his 6-year-old brother, Luke Allen Laney, dead in the yard, wearing only their underwear. Authorities said they found large rocks on top of the boys.
Laney's 14-month-old son, Aaron James, was alive but bleeding in his crib with a pillow over his face. He is in critical condition at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Authorities arrived at the scene after Laney reportedly told a 911 dispatcher, "I've just killed my boys." Deputies said they found her in the woods behind the brick house, in a bloody nightgown.
Smith said she sounded very "matter of fact." He said it was like someone calling for a pizza delivery.
Smith described the family as "stable" and said the mother had no history of taking any drugs for any mental illnesses. He said Laney's husband is in a state of shock.
The sheriff said the woman sometimes lies in a fetal position and cries in her jail cell. At other times, she walks around praying or singing gospel songs.
District Judge Kerry Russell set bond at $3 million.
Joshua Laney, 8, Luke Laney, 6, and Aaron Laney, 14 months Authorities say the woman's husband, Keith Laney, appeared to have just awoken when deputies arrived.
Smith told the CBS Morning Show that Laney told sheriff's deputies where to find the bodies but would not go herself, adding that the bodies were located 19 feet apart with rocks placed on their chests. He said they appeared to be landscaping rocks.
"She had evidently beaten them to death with a rock, led them out of the house one at a time, and killed the children," he said.
http://www.wral.com/news/2196442/detail.html

Sheriff: Texas Woman Said God Told Her To Kill Sons
2 Boys Dead After Being Beaten With A Rock; Youngest Son In Critical Condition
POSTED: 8:00 a.m. EDT May 12, 2003
UPDATED: 2:04 p.m. EDT May 12, 2003
TYLER, Texas -- A woman accused of fatally beating two of her sons with rocks told 911 operators that God ordered her to kill the boys, an East Texas sheriff said Monday.
Deanna Laney Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith told the Dallas Morning News that Deanna Laney (pictured, left) said in her emergency call that she'd bashed her children's heads with a rock. Laney, 38, is being held in a Smith County jail under a suicide watch.
A Texas judge has now issued a gag order -- keeping investigators from talking about the case.
Sheriff's deputies were called to Laney's home early Saturday and found her 8-year-old son, Joshua Keith Laney, and his 6-year-old brother, Luke Allen Laney, dead in the yard, wearing only their underwear. Authorities said they found large rocks on top of the boys.
Laney's 14-month-old son, Aaron James, was alive but bleeding in his crib with a pillow over his face. He is in critical condition at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Authorities arrived at the scene after Laney reportedly told a 911 dispatcher, "I've just killed my boys." Deputies said they found her in the woods behind the brick house, in a bloody nightgown.
Smith said she sounded very "matter of fact." He said it was like someone calling for a pizza delivery.
Smith described the family as "stable" and said the mother had no history of taking any drugs for any mental illnesses. He said Laney's husband is in a state of shock.
The sheriff said the woman sometimes lies in a fetal position and cries in her jail cell. At other times, she walks around praying or singing gospel songs.
District Judge Kerry Russell set bond at $3 million.
Joshua Laney, 8, Luke Laney, 6, and Aaron Laney, 14 months Authorities say the woman's husband, Keith Laney, appeared to have just awoken when deputies arrived.
Smith told the CBS Morning Show that Laney told sheriff's deputies where to find the bodies but would not go herself, adding that the bodies were located 19 feet apart with rocks placed on their chests. He said they appeared to be landscaping rocks.
"She had evidently beaten them to death with a rock, led them out of the house one at a time, and killed the children," he said.
http://www.wral.com/news/2196442/detail.html