Arkansas mother accused of trying to kill son, herself

Sommer Leann Hyatt, 32, of Hensley
Sommer Leann Hyatt, 32, of Hensley

An Arkansas mother is accused of trying to kill her minor son and herself earlier this month by overdosing on prescription medication, according to court filings.

The Saline County sheriff’s office responded about 7:23 a.m. April 13 to a home in the 800 block of Lakeshore Drive, where deputies spoke initially with the ex-husband and brother of Sommer Leann Hyatt, 32, of Hensley, according to the affidavit.

Upon entering the master bedroom, a deputy found Hyatt lying on her left side on a bed, the document states.

Hyatt — described by authorities as “lethargic,” having “slow speech responses” and being “pale in color” — was facing a minor who was asleep in a fetal position, according to the sheriff’s office.

The mother had taken 50 Xanax bars, Hyatt’s brother told a sheriff’s deputy, citing information he said his sister told him before the arrival of law enforcement. A first responder told the deputy that Hyatt may have also given her son Xanax.

Authorities found two medicine bottles without lids — one labeled Alprazolam and another labeled Sertraline — on a nightstand, according to the affidavit.

While being transported to UAMS Medical Center, Hyatt reportedly told a social worker of her intent to kill her son and take her own life. The child was transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital, a court document states.

Hyatt, who was arrested on charges of attempted capital murder and endangering the welfare of a minor, was booked about 8:59 a.m. Monday, jail records show. She was released 12:36 p.m. that afternoon on $100,000 bond.

According to records, Hyatt has a court appearance scheduled for June 14 in Saline County Circuit Court.

The father filed a motion April 14 for an ex parte emergency order of protection and change of custody regarding his son. That motion lists the child as being 10 years old.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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