Woman arrested after allegedly pressuring 10-year-old on 'Roblox' to attack toddler & murder guardians

[Coloroscopio]

 

A troubling case has emerged from Escambia County, Florida, where 36-year-old Tara Alexis Sykes has been arrested for allegedly instructing a 10-year-old child through the kids’ online platform Roblox to harm a toddler and the child’s temporary guardians.

 

Authorities say Sykes directed the child to carry out violent acts, including dropping a two-month-old baby onto a tile floor. Though the infant sustained a skull fracture, the baby survived, and the case has left investigators describing the situation as both unprecedented and “disturbing.”

 

According to law enforcement, Sykes used Roblox’s chat function to communicate with the child, sending explicit instructions to harm the infant and the adults in the household. The sheriff’s office reports that Sykes allegedly told the child to drown the baby, burn the infant with boiling water, and slit the throats of the guardians while they slept. In another horrific suggestion, she advised the child to set fire to the adults’ bedding using an aerosol spray.

 

The 10-year-old, reportedly living in fear of Sykes, believed that not following her commands would result in harm or death. Terrified, the child was able to carry out some of the instructions, resulting in serious injury to the infant. However, the child stopped short of executing the more extreme actions Sykes had demanded.

 

The case came to light when Gulf Coast Kids House, a child advocacy center, contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after discovering the infant had suffered a skull fracture. Investigators quickly traced the connection back to Sykes, who is now facing severe criminal charges.

 

Sykes has been charged with attempted murder in the course of aggravated child abuse and is being held without bond. Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances of the case, which has raised alarm about the misuse of online platforms for coercion and abuse.

 

 

Disturbing Attempted Homicide Arrest Escambia County Sheriff's Office deputies have arrested 36-year-old Tara Alexis...

Posted by Escambia County Sheriff's Office on Monday, October 21, 2024

 

 

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/woman-drop-infant-roblox_n_6717d6e5e4b0da23cf60d9b0
• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/roblox-florida-woman-child-kill-baby-b2633457.html
• https://people.com/woman-allegedly-messaged-boy-drop-baby-slit-throats-8732023
   

 

 

Opening image: Dennizn | Dreamstime.com