A woman who has been behind bars for five years is now preparing to be sentenced after facing a trial regarding the fatal stabbing of four of her children in Memphis, Tennessee.
Shanynthia Gardner was found guilty Tuesday on 20 counts including charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and neglect.
Investigators say, Gardner stabbed four of her children to death. Their ages ranged from six months to four years old. Her oldest son, who was seven years old, was the only child to live after he escaped during the incident.
The youngest child, six-month old Yahzi, was dead in a baby carrier in the living room.
Her sister, three-year-old Sya, was discovered next to her.
In a nearby bedroom, deputies found Sahvi, two, lying on a mattress and her four-year-old brother, Tallen, on the floor next to her.
According to court documents, the mother cut their throats open. Sheriff’s deputies reportedly found a large butcher’s knife with what appeared to be blood on it at the apartment where the killings took place.
The affidavit said Dallen was able to escape the apartment and run up to a man, yelling that his mother had stabbed his sister.
The man told officers that he saw Shanynthia come outside with a large knife in her hand, then re-enter the residence.
The deceased children’s father, Martin Gardner, described what was a tumultuous relationship with the defendant.
He recalled constant accusations from his wife of cheating, a physical altercation, and at one point he said his wife voluntarily admitted herself into Lakeside for psychiatric care.
He also testified to an incident that occurred just a few months before the fatal incident.
He said underneath her leg was a knife. He said his wife claimed it was for protection.
Martin Gardner said the day of the stabbing, the defendant told him she was getting ready to watch a movie with the kids. He said she seemed calm and nothing appeared to be wrong.
Shanynthia Gardner was found “mentally defective” by one medical expert in 2017.
Gardner is expected to be sentenced in early 2022.
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