5-month-old Shot to Death by Mother in Florida; Killed Infant and left Note to Apologize to Father: Sentenced to Life in Prison
A mother from Florida has been sentenced to life in prison for the tragic death of her infant son. The incident took place at the very location where her husband had proposed to her, as per the documents.
According to prosecutors, Maria Rodriguez-Barnes, who is now 35 years old, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder in the tragic death of her son in 2020. This verdict was reached by an Okaloosa County jury on June 5.
As per the arrest report, Rodriguez-Barnes took her 5-month-old son, Jaxxon Gunner Rodriguez Barnes, to the parking lot of The Boardwalk in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., on March 25, 2020. According to authorities, she allegedly fired a single shot at her son’s chest before turning the gun on herself in an apparent suicide attempt. Despite her intentions, she managed to survive.
Assistant State Attorney Michelle Sandler revealed during opening statements that Rodriguez-Barnes had allegedly plotted to harm her son upon discovering her husband’s plans to seek a divorce. The prosecutor mentioned that she selected the location because it held sentimental value to her, as it was where her husband had proposed.
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The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that Jaxxon was found deceased in the back of his mother’s pickup truck by deputies after a crew of workers alerted authorities. They found 5-month-old Jaxxon Rodriguez-Barnes sitting in the left rear floorboard of the truck, leaning against a pillow.
The sheriff’s office reported that deputies found a 9mm handgun, shell casings, and handwritten notes inside her car. The information regarding the notes was withheld in the arrest report as reported by the PEOPLE.
Sandler testified in court that before the murder, Rodriguez-Barnes expressed remorse to her husband, saying, ““I’m sorry for what I’m about to do.” According to reports, she reached out to her family members to discuss her plan prior to the incident.
