Marilyn Elise Therrell, 68, was arrested after deputies say she gave her two adult sons—both diagnosed with autism—overdoses of medication and then took an overdose herself on Sept. 8 in Kissimmee, Florida. All three were hospitalized and are expected to survive. Therrell allegedly admitted the actions to detectives and faces charges including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated abuse of a disabled adult; bond was set at $50,000. The sons will be placed with Florida's Adult Protective Services after discharge and the investigation is ongoing.
Florida Mother Arrested After Allegedly Overdosing Adult Sons With Autism; Faces Attempted Murder And Abuse Charges
Marilyn Elise Therrell's mug shotCredit: Osceola County Sheriff's Office
A 68-year-old Florida woman was arrested after investigators say she gave her two adult sons medication overdoses in an apparent attempt to kill them before taking an overdose herself. The incident occurred on Sept. 8 in Kissimmee, Osceola County, and all three were hospitalized and are expected to survive.
Incident Details
Osceola County deputies responded just after 10 a.m. to a home on Indian Ridge Trail South in Kissimmee following reports of multiple overdoses. Emergency medical personnel found Marilyn Elise Therrell and her two sons, ages 30 and 32, showing signs of apparent medication overdoses and transported them to a hospital for treatment.
Investigation And Arrest
After searching the residence and interviewing a family member and the property’s landlord, investigators said evidence suggested the overdoses may have been deliberate. During a Sept. 17 interview with detectives, Therrell reportedly told authorities she had struggled to care for her sons—both diagnosed with autism—particularly after her husband died last year. The sheriff’s office alleges Therrell admitted she intentionally gave her sons overdoses of medication in an attempt to kill them.
Osceola County Sheriff's Office vehicleCredit: Osceola County Sheriff's Office/Florida
Therrell was arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail on two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult. Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show bond was set at $50,000.
Aftercare And Ongoing Probe
A sheriff’s office spokesperson said Therrell and her sons are all expected to survive. The two men remain hospitalized; once discharged, they will be placed with the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Adult Protective Services. Law enforcement added that the investigation is ongoing, and officials have not released details about the specific medications involved.
Support Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. For mental health or crisis support, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org—both services are available 24/7.
Reporting in this case was based on local outlets including FOX 35 Orlando, Florida Today and WFTV, and court records reviewed by PEOPLE. The sheriff’s office continues to lead the investigation.
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