POLK COUNTY, Fla. – As per authorities, a mother in Polk County took the lives of her two children and then her own in an apparent case of murder-suicide.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd conducted a press briefing and stated that based on their investigation, Brandy Hutchins was responsible for ending the lives of her 10-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter before ending her own life.
Sheriff Judd explained that the tragic sequence of events originated as a domestic dispute regarding child custody matters between Hutchins and her ex-husband.
According to Judd, Hutchins’ former spouse traveled from Maine to Florida on Thursday for a court appearance alongside Hutchins, as she had not complied with handing over custody of their 10-year-old son as ordered.
The judge had mandated Hutchins to transfer custody of the child to the father by 6 p.m. on Friday, but she failed to do so.
Reportedly, the 19-year-old daughter had a different father.
Over the weekend, law enforcement worked diligently to locate the boy in order to fulfill the court’s custody ruling.
On Sunday, deputies received a call notifying them that Hutchins and her children were in a mobile home.
Around 12:30 p.m., deputies arrived at the residence and discovered the distressing reality: Hutchins had taken the lives of both her 10-year-old and 19-year-old children before ending her own life through self-inflicted gunshot.
Officials conveyed that Hutchins had no prior criminal record, and a thorough investigation into the incident is still underway.
“We are deeply saddened and devastated by this incredibly tragic event,” expressed Judd.
The situation is still unfolding. Stay tuned to News 6 for further updates.
