A young boy in New Mexico who was fatally stabbed in his bed was able to tell detectives who killed him as he breathed his last.
Before passing away from “multiple” stab wounds in the early hours of Sunday, Bruce Johnson Jr., 11, informed authorities while still in the hospital that his mother was the one who had done it.
When the boy’s father, Bruce Sr., woke up to screaming and discovered his son seriously injured in their Hobbs, Texas, home, he called 911.
Mary Johnson, the boy’s mother and Bruce Sr’s ex-wife, was found unconscious with “self-inflicted” chest stab wounds in another room.
Bruce Jr. was declared dead at the local hospital at 4.19 am after emergency services brought the duo there at 1 am.
Mary was stabilised and transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where a first-degree murder arrest warrant was filed for her.
The Lea County Sheriff’s Office said: ‘Mr Johnson told deputies that he was asleep when he heard his son screaming.’
They added: ‘He found his son in his room, lying on the bed suffering from stab wounds.
‘He went to call 911 when he discovered Mary was also stabbed, but she was unconscious in another room.
‘Mary suffered self-inflicted stab wounds to her chest.
‘Bruce Jr. was conscious upon arriving at the hospital, where he spoke with the investigator, advising his mom, Mary, had stabbed him.’
Following charges that Mary had been abusing the boy, it was discovered by investigators that Bruce Sr. had relocated from Oklahoma to Hobbs, taking Bruce Jr.
According to at least two occurrences, Mary, who is believed to have a mental disorder, was violent against their son.
The father of the boy decided to seek a divorce as a result in an effort to protect the child.
Mary had not seen her son for around 40 days before to the deadly stabbing, and she was impatient to see him.
To give Mary a chance to spend time with Bruce Jr before the divorce was finalised, Bruce Sr. gave in and let her stay with them.