Police in St. Petersburg arrested 43-year-old Diana Cullom and charged her with first-degree murder after her 16-year-old daughter found the family's 4-year-old son, Finley Cullom, stabbed to death on Jan. 27. Cullom was hospitalized with multiple stab wounds and later questioned by investigators. Authorities say a knife and a note found at the scene are believed to belong to her; the child's father was not home and there were no prior service calls to the residence. The investigation remains active.
Florida Mother Arrested And Charged With First-Degree Murder After Daughter Finds 4-Year-Old Son Fatally Stabbed
Diana Cullom, Joseph CullomPinellas County Sheriff's Office; Diana Cullom/Facebook
Authorities in St. Petersburg, Florida, have arrested 43-year-old Diana Cullom and charged her with first-degree murder after her 16-year-old daughter discovered the woman's 4-year-old son, Finley Cullom, dead with multiple stab wounds on Jan. 27.
Police were called about 3:30 p.m. local time to a home off Tanglewood Drive Northeast after the teenage daughter returned from school and found her younger brother and their mother injured, according to statements from the St. Petersburg Police Department and local outlets WFLA and Fox 13 Tampa Bay.
When officers arrived, they found the child deceased and Cullom with multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a hospital for treatment and later interviewed by investigators, authorities said. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office took Cullom into custody on Jan. 28 and charged her with first-degree murder.
Diana Cullom mugshotPinellas County Sheriff's Office
“We don’t know if they’re self-inflicted, but right now, for what will be from evidence, it looks like the mom stabbed the baby,” said St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway, describing preliminary findings reported at a press conference.
Investigators said a knife and a handwritten note found at the scene are believed to belong to the mother. Officials have not released additional details about what led to the incident or about Cullom’s mental-health history. Authorities also said the child’s father was not at home at the time.
Chief Holloway noted the emotional toll on officers and neighbors, including the 16-year-old who discovered the scene. Police added there was no prior history of service calls to the residence. The investigation is ongoing, and local media reported that PEOPLE sought comment from the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Sources: St. Petersburg Police Department, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, WFLA, Fox 13 Tampa Bay, PEOPLE.
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