PEOPLE
Florida Mom Accused of Giving Medication Overdoses to Adult Sons with Autism in Attempt to Kill Them
By Charlotte Phillipp Published on September 20, 2026 07:35PM EDT
A Florida woman is facing murder and abuse charges after investigators alleged she tried to give her two adult sons overdoses of medication to kill them before taking an overdose herself.
Marilyn Elise Therrell was arrested following the alleged incident on Sept. 8, reported FOX 35 Orlando, Florida Today and WFTV.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the outlets that deputies were called to a home located on Indian Ridge Trail South in Kissimmee just after 10 a.m. after receiving a report of overdoses.
When officials arrived at the scene, they found Therrell, 68, and her sons, ages 30 and 32, suffering from apparent medication overdoses. Emergency medical personnel transported them to a hospital for treatment.
After collecting evidence at the house and interviewing a family member as well as the property’s landlord, investigators eventually began to suspect that the overdoses were intentional.
During a Sept. 17 interview with detectives, Therrell allegedly said that caring for her sons, who both have autism, had become increasingly difficult since the death of her husband last year.
The sheriff’s office alleged Therrell then admitted she intentionally gave her sons overdoses medication in an attempt to kill them.
Therrell was arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail. She faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult. Court records viewed by PEOPLE show that her bond was set at $50,000.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told FOX that all Therrell and her sons are expected to survive.
The two men remain hospitalized, and once they are discharged, they will be placed in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Adult Protective Services.
The sheriff’s office added that the investigation remains ongoing.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
AH: What about contact information for someone who is overwhelmed with caring solo for an adult with special needs?
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