Mom Kills 2 Kids Before Fatally Shooting Herself: Polk County Sheriff

WAVERLY, FL — A mother killed her 10-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter before fatally shooting herself in Polk County, authorities said Sunday.

Sheriff Grady Judd identified the woman as Brandy Hutchins, whom he said had no criminal history.

The killings followed a court appearance Thursday, where Hutchins was ordered to turn over custody of her son to the boy’s father — who lives in Maine — by Friday evening, Judd said, adding Hutchins did not comply with the order.

Police were called mid-day Sunday to a mobile home in Waverly following attempts to locate the boy, according to Judd, and authorities determined Hutchins had killed both her children and taken her own life.

“I can’t imagine a more horrific set of circumstances,” Judd said at a press conference shared Sunday on Facebook. “My heart breaks for all of the family. We’re devastated for this beautiful 10-year-old child, all because mom did not want to turn the child over to the rightful father pursuant to a court order.”

The investigation is ongoing, according to Judd.