UNNAMED BOY - 7 yo/ Accused: Mother; Maisa Alvarez - Lake Wales FL

Why did she do it?

Posted: Sep 11, 2012 11:01 AM CDT
Updated: Sep 12, 2012 6:13 AM CDT

LAKE WALES (FOX 13) - A Lake Wales mother called 911 and told the operator she committed an inconceivable act. Investigators say the woman admitted to chaining her 7-year-old son's hands together as he slept and began stabbing him with a steak knife.

The stabbing has Maisa Alvarez' neighbors in the Highland Crest subdivision reeling. They say nothing seemed unusual about the family.

"She never said a mean word or anything," said Margrit McCown, of the Highland Crest Neighborhood Association. "She was friendly, and she waved all the time."

Alvarez and her husband moved here from Brazil a number of years ago so he could work at a Brazilian-owned orange juice processing plant in Lake Wales. He was not at home when his son was stabbed.

Investigators say they found a gruesome scene at the home, with blood over the woman and child, the bed and floor.

The Deputy Chief of the Lake Wales Police Department says Alvarez was calm during the interview.

"There were no emotions, almost a blank, lost look on her face," said Deputy Chief Trey Schultz.

Alvarez has been charged with child abuse.

The 7-year-old, whose name is not being released, was flown to an Orlando hospital. According to police, he is talking and expected to recover.

Alvarez is expected to make her first appearance Wednesday.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19513087/2012/09/11/police-mother-chained-stabbed-7-year-old-son

Mother claims 'voices' told her to chain, stab 7-year-old son

By Erin Maloney, Reporter
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2012

LAKE WALES -- A mother accused of chaining her 7-year-old son to a bed and repeatedly stabbing him allegedly told investigators that "voices" told her to do it, and she stopped when her son woke up and asked what she was doing.

Maisa Alvarez, 42, walked quietly into her first appearance at the county jail Wednesday, just one day after Lake Wales Police said she chained the boy to his bed and stabbed him almost a dozen times. A Portuguese interpreter helped Alvarez understand the judge's order of no bond Wednesday, and Alvarez showed no emotion throughout the hearing, barely speaking a word.

An arrest affidavit released by the state attorney said Alvarez confessed that she heard "voices" that told her to kill her son. She allegedly told investigators she took chains and locks from her bedroom dresser, went to her kitchen and selected two kitchen knives from a counter near the sink.

The affidavit stated the woman considered killing herself but couldn't do it. She instead allegedly placed chains around her son's wrists, locking his hands together. "Alvarez said at that point she began to stab him with a knife in the chest, shoulder, and arms," the affidavit stated.

Investigators said the boy tried to defend himself by blocking the attack and, as a result, also received defensive wounds to his arms, police said. According to the affidavit Alvarez said when he woke up, he said 'What are you doing?'"

Alvarez allegedly said she then stopped, unchained his hands and called 911. Police said they arrived to find the little boy covered in blood and scared but still conscious. Police said the mother appeared to be dazed.

The child was airlifted from the scene and taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. He was in stable condition at the time, and at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, a detective at the hospital reported that none of his stab wounds were life-threatening.

Investigators said Alvarez stabbed her son just before he woke up to go to school at Janie Howard Wilson Elementary in Lake Wales. "It's a tragedy for any child to be hurt, and here at this school we are family," the school's principal, Barbara Jones, said Wednesday.

Counselors were at the school to help the second graders and teachers who were having trouble coming to terms with the allegations against the mother. Classmates made get well cards, encouraging the victim to come back soon.

The allegation against Alvarez came as a surprise to teachers who said the suspect was an involved mother who loved her son.

When the boy does return to school, they know they'll have to help him get back to his normal routine. "We are just going to try to make it a normal day as ever," Jones said. "I think that’s what he’ll need. And just to know he has a wonderful classroom teacher who is very nurturing and supportive."

Alvarez is facing a charge of attempted first-degree murder.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/9/12/mother_claims_voices.html

How miraculous! This little guy survived this horendous attack! Should he be moved to "Not resulting in death"?