A mother in Maryland is facing charges after allegations that she used a saw to try to decapitate her 11-year-old autistic son when she became overwhelmed with concern about the child’s future.
46-year-old Kristina Petrie and her husband of 15 years share a home in Aspen Hill with their two autistic sons. Kristina is a stay-at-home parent while her husband Andrew reportedly has a full-time professional career. One of the Petrie’s neighbors stated that Kristina appeared to spend many of her days taking her children on outings and working outdoors maintaining her yard.
On the afternoon of March 12, Petrie’s 11-year-old returned from school to find his mother allegedly having mood swings that took her from crying to laughing within minutes. The child saw his younger brother in tears on the sofa and he proceeded upstairs to his room to play video games before beginning his homework.