A North Carolina woman faces charges in the death of her 9-month-old daughter, after allegedly telling first responders it was a “mercy killing.” The incident has raised concerns about potential mental health issues, particularly postpartum psychosis.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Bober, when presented with the details of the case, noted that the circumstances surrounding the initial call to authorities were concerning. The woman, later identified as 39-year-old Megan Stack Sazon, was reportedly seen acting strangely and not wearing clothes.
“To me, when I see something like that, that would be very concerning to me, and I would think that the patient is probably psychotic,” Dr. Bober stated.
A woman standing in a courtroom.
First responders received a call about a disoriented adult female in the early morning hours of July 12th in Hickory, North Carolina. They followed Sazon for nearly a mile before questioning her near her home. It was then that she reportedly confessed, saying, “Everyone come in, the baby is dead.” Inside the home, investigators tragically discovered the body of 9-month-old Samantha Sazon.
Dr. Bober pointed out the similarities to the high-profile case of Andrea Yates, who drowned her five children in 2001. Yates’ defense successfully argued postpartum psychosis, and she was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity.
“When I saw this case, it did remind me a lot of Andrea Yates, which was a case of postpartum psychosis and her defense used this what we call altruistic filicide,” explained Dr. Bober. “Filicide is the killing of a child by a parent or stepparent.”
Altruistic filicide, as Dr. Bober described, occurs when a parent kills a child believing they are saving them from a fate worse than death. This type of defense was also used in the case of Susan Smith, who drowned her children in 1994.
While it’s still early in the investigation, Dr. Bober acknowledged that the details of Sazon’s case suggest a potential severe mental health issue. He explained the spectrum of postpartum mental health experiences, from the relatively common “baby blues” to the more serious postpartum depression and the rare and extreme postpartum psychosis.
“[Postpartum psychosis] is really the most extreme form, and that happens probably to about one in a thousand women,” Dr. Bober said. “And then you get what we… you know, the Andrea Yates type situation where she killed her children. So, it’s a very significant uh disorder.”
A woman holding a baby.
Disturbingly, reports have emerged suggesting a previous incident in December 2023 where Sazon allegedly attempted to kill her baby. This prior attempt, if true, raises significant red flags and questions about potential negligence if authorities were aware of the earlier incident.
Dr. Bober highlighted the importance of a thorough investigation into Sazon’s medical history, including any past mental health treatment, substance use, and potential stressors. He emphasized the delicate balance between managing mental illness with medication and the potential risks to both mother and child during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
“When we have a woman, uh, for example, who wants to have a child and she’s taking medication and we know that she is stable on that medication and we know that the pregnancy itself could exacerbate her symptoms, we usually sit down with them and we go over the medications and we look at the risks versus the benefits of staying on medication,” Dr. Bober explained.
Currently, Sazon is being held in jail without bond. As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together her medical history and the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death. The manner in which Samantha died has not been released, which Dr. Bober noted could be a factor in understanding the impulsivity or premeditation of the act.
The prosecution and defense will likely present expert opinions on Sazon’s mental state at the time of her daughter’s death. The defense may argue an insanity plea, though it’s a difficult defense to mount successfully.
Dr. Bober emphasized the crucial need for increased support for new mothers, citing the potential for early intervention and support systems to prevent such tragedies. He stressed the importance of family, mental health providers, and Child Protective Services working together to ensure the well-being of both mothers and children.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues, especially in the vulnerable postpartum period.
