A 68-year-old Florida mother is facing four felony charges after authorities allege that she intentionally gave medication to her two adult sons, who are both described as severely autistic, in an attempt to kill them. The two sons, ages 30 and 32, survived the alleged incident and were taken to a hospital for emergency treatment.
Shortly after 10 a.m. on September 8, deputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Indian Ridge Trail South following a report of a possible overdose. When deputies arrived, they reportedly found Marilyn Elise Therrell and both of her sons showing signs consistent with medication overdoses.
All three were transported to Celebration Hospital, where they received medical treatment. What initially appeared to be a possible accidental overdose soon became the subject of a criminal investigation after detectives identified information that raised questions about how the incident occurred.
Investigators reportedly collected evidence from the home and interviewed a family member as well as the property’s landlord. According to authorities, information obtained during those interviews, along with evidence found at the residence, led detectives to suspect that the three medication overdoses may not have been accidental.
The investigation continued for several days. On September 17, nine days after deputies initially responded to the home, detectives interviewed Therrell about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Therrell told investigators that caring for her two adult sons had become increasingly difficult following the death of her husband the previous year. Authorities said she subsequently admitted to intentionally giving medication to both sons with the stated intention of killing them.
Therrell was taken into custody and booked into the Osceola County Jail. She is facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult.
Both sons survived the alleged attempt and are expected to recover. Authorities said Florida Adult Protective Services will take responsibility for their care after they are released from the hospital.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly identified the two sons or disclosed the specific type or amount of medication they allegedly received.
The case also highlights the difficult circumstances that can face families providing long-term care for adults with significant disabilities. The death of a spouse can leave a caregiver facing major emotional, financial and practical challenges, particularly when dependent family members require extensive daily assistance.
At the same time, the allegations underscore the need to protect vulnerable adults who depend on caregivers for medication, supervision, personal care and basic safety. According to authorities, the two men survived the alleged incident and will receive care through Adult Protective Services following their hospitalization.
The charges against Therrell are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The investigation remains active, and additional information may be released as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged overdoses.
