The pregnant Florida mother who drove her three children into the ocean has been hospitalized for punching herself in the stomach.
The news was revealed at a Monday bond hearing for 32-year-old Ebony Wilkerson, who on March 4 drove her minivan into the Atlantic Ocean at Daytona Beach. Her children, ages 3, 9 and 10, were inside. Wilkerson was arrested and accused of trying to kill her children and herself. Local lifeguards and onlookers saved the family's lives.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza said Wilkerson, who is 28 weeks pregnant, was held in a hospital's psychiatric ward because she was caught "beating her stomach with her fists," the Orlando Sentinel reported. Wilkerson was also previoulsy hospitalized following her murder-suicide attempt. She is still at the psych ward under close supervision.
Lazirra said the state is worried about the safety of Wilkerson's unborn child, which doctors said is at risk of being born premature.
"This child is helpless," Lazirra said.
Defense attorneys and doctors argued that Wilkerson needs to receive mental health care at a hospital, and not be confined in detention like she has been since her arrest.
Dr. James Moor, a psychiatrist, said Wilkerson's confinement makes it difficult for her treatment to work, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
"She's limited in her ability even for such things as getting fresh air," Moor said.
Defense attorneys argued the mother needs to be released to Halifax Hospital Medical Center for proper care.
"I believe that Mrs. Wilkerson can be helped," Moor said.
Another doctor, obstetrics and gynecology specialist Pamela Carbiener, said Wilkerson's pregnancy is complicated by "significant high-risk issues."
But Circuit Judge Leah Case decided not to release Wilkerson to the hospital, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
The mother's family said she left her husband a few days before she attempted to drown her children. The family said her husband, Lutful Ronjon, abused Wilkerson for 14 years in South Carolina, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
A hearing was scheduled for March 25 where the defense will present case law evidence that supports their bid for Wilkerson's hospital treatment.
