A South Carolina mother has been charged with attempting to murder her two young children after they were found severely injured at their home in Spartanburg County.
Taylor Gosnell, 35, allegedly attacked her three-year-old and six-year-old children with a knife and a blunt object during the early hours of Saturday, 26 September, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.
The children were discovered after the six-year-old telephoned his grandmother to say that he and his younger sibling were hungry and that their mother was not at home. The grandmother contacted a friend of Gosnell and the pair went to the property on Bud Arthur Bridge Road, near Cowpens.
They found both children suffering from serious injuries and called emergency services. Deputies arriving shortly after 2.30pm found the house in disarray, with televisions and mirrors smashed and debris scattered throughout the property.
Investigators said the children had suffered about 50 stab wounds between them, some of which reached the bone. Warrants allege that Gosnell also struck them with a baseball bat.
The children were taken initially to Spartanburg Regional Medical Centre before being transferred to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Greenville. They were reported to be in a stable condition and expected to recover, although the six-year-old faces the possibility of losing fingers or an arm because of the severity of the injuries.
Gosnell returned to the property while deputies were still at the scene. Authorities said she appeared distressed and was taken to hospital for a mental health evaluation after behaviour raised concerns about her immediate wellbeing.
She allegedly tried to escape from the ambulance while being taken for assessment and had to be restrained. After being medically cleared, she was released and booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Facility shortly before midnight.
Gosnell faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possessing a weapon during a violent crime. She requested a lawyer and was not interviewed by investigators.
A judge refused to grant bail at an initial hearing on Sunday, 27 September. Court records show Gosnell is due to appear again on 12 November.
The children have been placed in protective custody and are expected to undergo further surgery. The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active.
