South Carolina mom accused of knife attack on young children; 6-year-old may lose arm: sheriff's office
A South Carolina boy’s call to his grandmother saying he was hungry led authorities to a home where investigators say his mother had stabbed him and his younger sibling dozens of times, leaving both children with severe injuries.
Taylor Gosnell, 35, was charged with two counts of attempted murder after allegedly attacking her children, ages 6 and 3, inside their Spartanburg County home during the overnight hours before they were discovered Saturday, according to authorities.
The 6-year-old called his grandmother Sept. 26, and told her his mother was not home and that he and his 3-year-old sibling were hungry, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.
The grandmother contacted a friend of Gosnell, and the two went to the residence. They found both children suffering from severe injuries and immediately dialed 911.
Deputies responding shortly after 2:30 p.m. found the residence in disarray, with numerous items damaged or broken, authorities said.
Investigators said the children had approximately 50 stab wounds between them, including injuries that penetrated to the bone. Both were initially taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center before being transferred to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Greenville, where they remained hospitalized and were expected to undergo additional surgeries.
Arrest warrants reviewed by Fox News Digital provide additional details about the alleged attack. The warrants allege Gosnell struck the children with a baseball bat and a circular knife, causing severe injuries with intent to kill them.
Gosnell returned to the home while deputies were still there, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies transported her to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for an evaluation after observing behavior that raised concerns about her immediate well-being.
Authorities said Gosnell attempted to run from the ambulance before being transported and had to be restrained. She was medically cleared and released from the hospital shortly afterward.
Investigators attempted to interview Gosnell, but no interview was conducted after she requested an attorney, according to the sheriff’s office.
Gosnell was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Facility shortly before midnight Sept. 26 and was denied bond on both attempted murder charges.
Investigators later obtained two additional warrants charging Gosnell with possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Those warrants, also reviewed by Fox News Digital, allege she possessed the weapons during the attempted murders.
The children have been placed in protective custody and remain hospitalized, authorities said.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.