According to court documents, a 28-year-old woman, later identified as Tenia, has been handed a sentence ranging from 20 years to a lifetime in prison for the deaths of her twin two-year-old daughters, Jasmine and Jaida, following her admission of guilt to two charges of first-degree murder. This heartbreaking case, underscored by mental health challenges and despair, came to a close with Tenia’s plea.
The incident began to unfold on June 27, 2019. Tenia’s mother called 911 at around 2:37 p.m. She told the dispatcher that her daughter, Tenia, was threatening to kill her children and herself. According to reports, Tenia later told her mother over the phone that she had “killed them with my bare hands” and mentioned plans to walk into the ocean “to be with her babies in heaven.”
Shortly after the 911 call, authorities launched a search operation around the area and were able to locate Tenia’s van. Once locating the van, responding officers found Tenia outside the vehicle, with her children, Jasmine and Jaida, deceased in their car seats. Prior to the incident, the victims’ grandmother voiced concerns about Tenia’s erratic and aggressive behavior, and mentioned that her daughter had a very long history of mental health issues. Following her arrest, Tenia was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. On December 13, 2023, she pleaded guilty. Prosecutors stated that while the 20-year sentence resolves the case, it does not compensate for the loss of the two young girls, who were tragically betrayed by the one person meant to protect them.
The sentencing of Tenia to at least 20 years to life in prison marks the conclusion of a deeply tragic case, leaving a lasting impact on the community and raising critical questions about mental health support and intervention in crisis situations. The case has brought attention to issues surrounding mental health and the dire consequences it can have if left untreated. As the community grapples with this tragedy, the focus has shifted to the importance of mental health awareness and support systems to prevent such incidents in the future.
