Osceola County, Florida – August 22, 2023
A disturbing incident has shaken Osceola County as a mother stands accused of strangling her 13-year-old son, citing a belief that she was “God” and wanting to save him from the devil, according to court records.
Jasmin Kennedy, a 37-year-old mother of two, was apprehended on Monday after allegedly throttling her son in their home in St. Cloud, Florida. The shocking details emerged from court documents that reveal Kennedy referred to herself as “Yahweh,” a Hebrew term meaning “God.”
Upon her arrest, Kennedy reportedly stated that she believed she was being questioned about sending her son home. When pressed for clarification, she admitted to sparing him from the devil, highlighting her unsettling mindset.
Charged with premeditated first-degree murder, domestic battery by strangulation, aggravated child abuse, and child neglect, Kennedy appeared in court where a judge ordered her to be held without bond.
The tragic incident unfolded when law enforcement received a distressing 911 call around 7:30 a.m. Deputies arrived at the family’s residence to find the lifeless body of Kennedy’s 13-year-old son on his bed.
In a chilling turn of events, Kennedy admitted spontaneously to first responders that she had strangled her child, revealing a disturbing insight into her motivations. The victim’s younger brother, aged 5, was a witness to the attack, sleeping on the bunk above his older sibling.
Paramedics arrived at the scene promptly, but tragically, the 13-year-old could not be saved.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez expressed the profound tragedy of the situation, emphasizing the sorrow when a young life is lost. He stated, “It’s always a tragedy when someone so young is taken… Their life was just taken from them. It hits home, especially when you have children.”
The community is left grappling with the horrific incident, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s untimely death.
