April Evalyn Short, a mother of three and the wife of a US Army staff sergeant, has been accused of causing fatal harm to her infant son by cutting his neck. The motive behind this tragic act was reportedly her belief that it would reunite the child with God and Jesus. Short, who is 30 years old, was arrested on November 15, 2023, and is now facing charges of murder. The alleged crime is aggravated by the fact that it occurred during an act of child abuse.
The distressing chain of events began when Short sent a text message to her husband, who was on duty at Fort Eisenhower Army Installation, expressing her desire for reunion and referencing God and impending darkness. Concerned for the safety of their youngest child, the husband rushed home and discovered that Short had barricaded herself in the master bedroom with their three children. Fearing for their well-being, he contacted the police.
Short eventually emerged from the barricaded room with their two elder children, aged 11 and 6, at around 9:05 am. She tried to escape but was apprehended by a police officer. It was at this moment that the husband realized their youngest child was missing. Upon returning to the master bedroom, he found the infant wrapped in plastic with visible wounds and bleeding from the neck. Despite the efforts of emergency services, the child was pronounced dead at approximately 9:34 am at the Army Medical Center.
According to statements from the 6-year-old sibling, Short armed herself with two knives with the intention of facilitating the infant’s journey to God and Jesus. During a police interview, Short allegedly confessed to cutting the infant’s neck after barricading the door and wrapping the victim in a shower curtain. When the first knife proved ineffective, she resorted to using a second one.
According to statements from the 6-year-old sibling, Short armed herself with two knives with the intention of facilitating the infant’s journey to God and Jesus. During a police interview, Short allegedly confessed to cutting the infant’s neck after barricading the door and wrapping the victim in a shower curtain. When the first knife proved ineffective, she resorted to using a second one.
Short is said to have made a threat to harm the child if the child did not stop crying. In her admission, Short accepted the wrongdoing and the “evil” character of her actions.
Short was present in front of US Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps for her preliminary hearing, where she did not plead guilty or not guilty. The case will now undergo a comprehensive legal investigation to reveal all the complete information regarding the incident.
Tamera Glenn writes on world news.
