Woman Arrested for Instructing Child on Roblox Messages to Kill Infant

Three Teens Arrested for Attempting to Kill Their Mother For Turning Off the Wi-Fi

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PENSACOLA, Fl.- A Florida woman is behind bars after instructing a 10-year-old child to kill numerous people, including an infant, authorities said.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to the Gulf Coast Kids House, located in the City of Pensacola, Florida, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the serious injuries of a 2-month-old child in their care. During their early investigation, they learned that a 10-year-old child also living in the home, which housed abused children, had dropped the infant on the tiled kitchen floor.
They learned that the 10-year-old child had been communicating with 36-year-old Tara Alexis Sykes on Roblox. As part of their conversation, Sykes encouraged the 10-year-old to kill the infant. “Sykes instructed the 10-year-old to drown the infant in the bathtub, burn the infant with scalding water, and drop the infant on the floor to kill the infant,” sheriff’s officials said in a news release. Sykes also encouraged the child to kill the adults caring for her by cutting their throats with a knife while they slept and catching the house on fire. She instructed her to use aerosol spray before setting them on fire. The child followed instructions but was stopped before lighting fire to the doused sheets.

Sykes is being charged with attempted murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse and is being held with no bail.

“I have been in law enforcement for over 40 years and have never seen anything quite like this. I am truly disturbed by the circumstances and the thought that anyone could think like this, let alone instruct these acts to be carried out. There is something really wrong with her,” said Sheriff Chip W. Simmons. Additional charges may result at the conclusion of the investigation.