Horsham Mom Accused Of Murder ‘Delusional,’ Attorney Says

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —The mother accused of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of her 11-year-old son has undergone a mental health evaluation, her lawyer said Wednesday.

Ruth DiRienzo-Whitehead underwent a mental health evaluation "recently," Eugene Tinari, the Philadelphia lawyer who is representing her, told Patch Wednesday.

"She was delusional and has mental health issues," Tinari said. "We're convinced this occurred from a severe mental illness because there's no explanation."

DiRienzo-Whitehead was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possessing an instrument of crime. She was extradited from the Jersey Shore back to Montgomery County on Friday and is being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

DiRienzo-Whitehead's court records were updated to note the mental health evaluation, authorities said.

Her son was found dead in his Privet Road home last Tuesday by his father, who found the door to the master bedroom locked and his wife and the family’s Toyota Highlander missing.

Authorities said after DiRienzo-Whitehead left her home, she drove the family’s SUV to Cape May, N.J. There, she proceeded to drive the vehicle into the ocean just off Beach Avenue, where it was found by Cape May Police. She then walked to Wildwood Crest, where she was taken into custody by Wildwood Crest Police.

Dirienzo-Whitehead said that she strangled her son with her husband's belt at the family's Privet Road home after he had been "upset and crying off and on all day" last Monday over the family's financial difficulties, according to an affidavit.

Tinari said that during a court proceeding last Friday before her extradition that Dirienzo-Whitehead was wearing a vest to protect herself from harm and that she is at "high risk."

"This is no mystery," Tinari said. "It's glaringly obvious. It's a tragic case and unspeakable. The facts lend themselves to the devastation of the family. As a result of her mental illness, many, many people will be permanently scarred."

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