Father Tried To Get Custody From Woman Who Smothered Her Toddlers
CHEVERLY, Md. (WJZ) -- The details in the murder of two toddlers in Prince George's County get more gruesome by the day. We've now learned the father of one of the children tried to get full custody.
Rochelle Ritchie has more.
Court records show the daughter's father was fighting for visitation and custody. We also have learned the mother now charged for killing her own children changed her son's entire name just a year ago.
Three-year-old Kayla Renee Thompson and one-year-old Ayden Jonathan Spoon are dead. Prince George's County police say their mother, Sonya Spoon, admitted to killing them.
"As a result, Sonya Katerina Spoon was charged with two counts of first degree murder," said Major Cesar Pachecho.
Court documents say Spoon placed plastic bags and duct tape around their faces and heads, then says she went to wake up her mother to tell her what she had done.
"It's that family member that located the victims," said Pachecho.
Their mother was taken to jail and charged with first degree murder.
According to her Twitter account, Spoon was adopted from Russia at age three.
We have also learned she was in a custody battle with her daughter's father, who was attempting to get visitation and custody.
She also changed her son's name from James Anthony Doogan to Ayden Jonathan Spoon in November. It's not the first time the police had been called to the home or made contact with Spoon. Last week, Spoon's mother called 911 for help.
"She advised our officers that her daughter had suicidal thoughts and had also stated she wanted to take the life of her daughter," said Sgt. Jarod Towers.
Spoon was taken for a mental evaluation, but why was she allowed to return home with her children?
"There was no threat to the children at that time, other than her verbal comment. There was no evidence to make us believe there was abuse or neglect to either child at the residence," said Towers.
Spoon's threat is now a reality police are trying to understand.
"This has been a really difficult case for this police department and this community," said an official.
Spoon is being held without bond.
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