A 68-year-old Florida woman, Marilyn Elise Therrell, has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated abuse after allegedly giving her two autistic adult sons medication overdoses before taking an overdose herself. All three were found ill at their Kissimmee home on 8 September and are expected to survive. Investigators allege Therrell later admitted intending to kill her sons, saying she had struggled to care for them after her husband’s death.

Therrell’s sons, Eric, 30, and Thomas Jr, 32, were living with her and remain in hospital. Her bond was set at $50,000, and the men are expected to be placed under Adult Protective Services’ care after discharge. The investigation is continuing, and Therrell has not been convicted; the allegations will be tested in court.