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Mothers Charged with Killing Children in Shocking Cases

12/10/2025

Center

Mothers Admit Murders

Jannie Perry, 42, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Illinois for the death of her 6-year-old son, Damari.
Damari’s death followed a prolonged cold shower punishment inflicted by Perry and her older son.
Irene Whitehead, 27, is under investigation in Michigan after confessing to killing her infant son and her 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, in 2021.

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Maya Faces Murder Charges

Maya Hernandez, a 20-year-old mother from California, faces second-degree murder charges for allegedly leaving her 1-year-old son, Amillio Gutierrez, in a hot car for 2.5 hours while she received lip injections.
Prosecutors say the vehicle interior reached 116 degrees.
Hernandez returned to find Gutierrez limp and purple.
Gutierrez died and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The defense concedes manslaughter and child cruelty charges but contests the second-degree murder charge.

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Mothers Face Justice

Louwanna Thyra Goltz, 40, was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter in July 2022.
The court found she was in drug-induced psychosis at the time.
Family concerns about Zion’s safety were reportedly ignored during his reunification with Goltz from foster care.
Crystal Leanne Hanley, 49, faces sentencing for criminal neglect of her six-year-old daughter Charlie, who died from severe malnutrition.
Audio evidence revealed Hanley's callous attitude toward Charlie’s deteriorating health.

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Mothers Admit Murders

Jannie Perry, 42, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Illinois for the death of her 6-year-old son, Damari.
Damari’s death followed a prolonged cold shower punishment inflicted by Perry and her older son.
Irene Whitehead, 27, is under investigation in Michigan after confessing to killing her infant son and her 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, in 2021.

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