Police in Bradenton report that 87-year-old Lillian Parks made “several spontaneous, concerning remarks,” claiming she intentionally overdosed her 30-year-old grandson, Joel, “with the intention of ending his life.”
It’s not clear what Joel’s disabilities were, but Parks was concerned about her own flagging health “and was worried about who would be caring for him when she passed away,” said Bradenton Police Department spokesperson Cap’t Brian Thiers.
It’s unclear if Parks was suffering from any specific illnesses.
According to authorities, Joel’s father was deceased and he was estranged from his mother. He lived in a group home five days a week and spent the weekends with his grandmother. His body was found by his sister Sunday around noon.
“She made statements to responding officers that she had purposely overdosed him cause she’s dealing with some medical issues herself,” Thiers said. “She’s worried when she’s gone there will be nobody there to care for him.”
Thiers wouldn’t discuss what drugs Lillian allegedly used to kill Joel until the results the toxicology report and autopsy was complete.
“We do feel bad for an individual who feels their only options is to take another human being’s life because you’re so worried about their care after you’re gone,” he said. “But on the other hand, this is a process where it was thought out, it was planned and she took a human life … and we need to do everything we can to bring justice to his family. At the end of the day, Lillian is responsible for the death of another human being.”
Parks, Joel’s legal guardian, was taken for evaluation in a secure medical facility, though Thier added that she would be charged with second-degree murder upon release.
In 2018, a Hong Kong woman was charged with killing her 6-year-old grandson in a love hotel in Wan Chai. The woman, 52, suffered from depression and had received psychiatric help. She lived with her daughter and grandson and was the boy’s main caregiver.
The boy was discovered comatose and was taken to the hospital but died there. Strangulation marks were found around his neck and a strap reportedly from the grandmother’s backpack was found on the scene,
The boy was believed to have a hyperactivity disorder. A school social worker had been following his condition and met with the family, “But before any supporting service could be granted, the tragedy took place,” a source told The South China Morning Post.
