Cops: Mom Claimed She Killed Son With Oil And Vinegar Because He Was Possessed

An Indiana woman arrested after authorities found what they believe to be the remains of her 3-year-old son kept hidden for over a year is now facing additional charges in connection with his death.

Prosecutors formally filed charges Tuesday against 31-year-old Latisha Lawson including two counts of battery and three counts of neglecting a dependent for the alleged abuse of her two children in November 2009.

Latisha Lawson

Documents filed supporting the charges reveal new details about how and why authorities say the Fort Wayne mother killed her son.

Relatives reported Lawson, her 10-year-old daughter and her 3-year-old son Jeziah King missing on December 20, saying they had not seen the mother or girl for months and they had not seen the boy for at least 10 months. On the same day, a woman who once lived with them told police that Lawson put her son’s dead body in a closet in November 2009, according to a police affidavit.

After Lawson and her daughter were located safely, she was questioned by police about the missing boy. Lawson, who had waived her rights, allegedly told a Fort Wayne Police Department detective that she gave both of her children a mixture of olive oil and vinegar because she believed they were possessed by demons, and she gave the combination to Jeziah until he stopped breathing because she could not take his “temper tantrums.” She then stated that her son’s body could be found in a tote in the bedroom of a house where she recently stayed and that, according to the document, “he had gone to be with God approximately one week prior to Thanksgiving 2009.”

Asked by the detective whether she knew at the time that she had murdered her son, she allegedly replied, “Yes.”

On December 21, authorities interviewed Lawson’s daughter, who confirmed she and her brother had been given the olive oil and vinegar because their mother thought they were possessed. The 10-year-old reportedly said that she immediately vomited afterward but that Jeziah King died as he was spitting out the mixture. She also alleged that Lawson put his body on a bed and had her pray over him before moving the body to a closet. According to her, Lawson placed the body in a plastic tote when they moved out of that apartment and kept him with them.

The affidavit also states that the girl accused Lawson of frequently beating her with a pink belt or an extension cord. A forensic nurse photographed marks on her body that appeared consistent with such abuse.

Police conducted another interview with Lawson on December 27th, and she again waived her rights. The documents allege that she admitted to whipping the girl with the belt as a form of punishment. She also reportedly provided more information about Jeziah King’s death, telling a detective that she gave her son the olive oil and vinegar mixture three times and on the third time she held his mouth closed for about ten minutes until he was no longer struggling or breathing.

DNA tests are still pending to confirm the identity of the child’s body found in the house. Preliminary autopsy results indicated that he died from asphyxia due to compression of the neck.

Lawson is now being held on $230,000 bond and the court has ordered her to have no contact with her daughter. A trial setting hearing is scheduled for January 20.