In recent court proceedings, a 51-year-old mother, later identified as Ruth, has been convicted of first-degree murder, a charge stemming from the heartbreaking act she committed against her 11-year-old son, later identified as Matthew. Ruth is accused of using her husband’s belt to strangle Matthew.
As per reports, the tragic event took place last year, on April 10. Following the murder, Ruth drove her vehicle about 120 miles to another state, leaving it partially submerged. Her arrest took place shortly after, not far from the place where authorities found her vehicle, marking the beginning of a legal battle that caught the public’s eye.
Matthew’s father, Daniel, was the one who found his son’s lifeless body. During court hearings, Daniel said that it was normal for him to sleep in his son’s room while his wife and Matthew were in the master bedroom. On April 11, he woke up to find the bedroom locked and his wife’s vehicle missing. He used the screwdriver to open the door, where he found his son lying on the bed face down and immediately dialed 911. The first responders’ arrival marked the start of a thorough investigation, eventually leading to Ruth’s arrest and trial.
According to court documents, Ruth first said the reason for her actions was her desire to prevent Matthew from growing up facing financial difficulties. Her lawyers argued that she snapped under the pressure of money troubles, the challenges of menopause, and the demands of taking care of her dementia-stricken mother. Yet the prosecution said the act of taking her son’s life was deliberate, as they highlighted Ruth’s internet searches in reference to methods to strangle someone and mental illnesses leading mothers to harm their children. The prosecution argued that her real intent was to get back at her husband for not providing the lifestyle she expected. The court has scheduled Ruth’s sentencing for Friday, where she is expected to receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
