Body camera footage shows the 12-year-old girl running out of the house, admitting to stabbing her brother, and apologizing.
In a case that has shocked the community, the mother of a 12-year-old girl from Oklahoma who admitted to stabbing her younger brother to death has broken her silence. The incident, which occurred in January at their Tulsa home, has left the family reeling and seeking answers to the unimaginable.
Body camera footage released by authorities shows the young girl, whose name has not been made public, running out of the house, confessing to the crime, and expressing remorse for her actions. “I’m so sorry, Dad. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what… I’m so sorry,” she cries, her voice filled with panic and regret. Her mother, April Lydia, can be seen entering the video shortly after, attempting to console her distraught daughter.
The victim, 9-year-old Xander, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. According to medical reports, he had suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest. A GoFundMe page set up by friends describes Xander as a beloved child who enjoyed riding his bike, playing Fortnite, and spending time with his mother.
April Lydia maintains her daughter’s innocence, claiming that she was a well-behaved child with no prior history of behavioral issues. She attributes the tragedy to a medication her daughter had been prescribed but had stopped taking for over a year. While Lydia declined to disclose the specific medication, she emphasized that it was not a psychiatric drug. She also disputed claims that her daughter had a history of self-harm.
In an interview, Lydia shared her belief that her daughter experienced a sudden and inexplicable break with reality, stating, “She has no idea why she did it. She’s heartbroken and feels very guilty, but she still doesn’t understand why she did it. She said it was like it wasn’t her.” Lydia added that a team of specialists working with her daughter believe her account of the events.
Dr. Angela Arnold, a psychiatrist based in Atlanta, shared her expert opinion on the case.
Dr. Angela Arnold, a psychiatrist based in Atlanta, offered her insights on the case during an appearance on Law & Crime’s Sidebar podcast. While acknowledging the heartbreaking nature of the situation, Dr. Arnold expressed concern over Lydia’s claims regarding the medication, particularly given the significant time lapse since her daughter had last taken it. “The medicine is out of her system. The medicine does not last for a long time in her system,” Dr. Arnold explained.
Addressing the possibility of a delayed adverse reaction to the medication, Dr. Arnold remained skeptical. “The mother is assuming that… a medication went in and did harm to this little girl’s brain,” she said. “However, the mother… was also saying that the little girl’s behavior up to this point was fine. She was not exhibiting any… any bad behavior, and she’s not exhibiting any bad behavior in [detention].”
Dr. Arnold suggested that other factors, such as a potential undiagnosed mental health condition or a traumatic event, should be considered. She raised the possibility of bipolar disorder, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD, particularly in young children.
The case continues to raise more questions than answers. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.
