A Pennsylvania woman, 41-year-old Jennifer L. Bowser, faces charges of murdering her 5-year-old son, allegedly suffocating him, reportedly influenced by ‘voices.’
According to a report from Law and Crime on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Bowser was arrested on Monday, accused of general criminal homicide and aggravated assault causing serious bodily harm to a victim under 13.
Authorities also charged her with strangulation in connection with the death of her son, Samson Bowser.
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Police and detectives responded to a 911 call reporting an unconscious child at Martha’s Manor, a senior living facility in Cambria County.
During a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, District Attorney Gregory Neugebauer disclosed that emergency responders found the young boy unconscious in a first-floor bedroom.
Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees estimated that the child had been deceased for several hours but less than a full day.
Officials revealed that Bowser and her son resided in a dwelling connected to the senior living facility but were separated from the facility’s regular residents because Bowser’s mother owned and managed the facility.
The official cause and manner of death are pending confirmation until the coroner conducts an autopsy on Samson on Tuesday afternoon.
Neugebauer stated that the case was being treated as a homicide based on witness statements, physical evidence found at the scene, and clear observations of the child.
The physical evidence at the scene suggested a suffocation-type death, according to Neugebauer.
Neugebauer couldn’t ethically disclose any statements Bowser might have made to authorities but emphasized that mental health likely significantly influenced the events.
A document detailing the criminal allegations against Bowser, obtained by Altoona’s CBS affiliate WTAJ, provided further information about the accusations.
According to the report, Bowser told investigators that ‘Kayla’ was trying to take her son and that a voice from a device instructed her to suffocate Samson to prevent him from going to hell.
Allegedly, Bowser spent the previous two days barricaded with Samson in her bedroom because ‘Kayla’ claimed the boy was her own.
On the night of February 4, Bowser claimed that voices warned her that police were approaching and would harm Samson if she didn’t suffocate him.
She confessed to using a blanket to cover the boy’s face and then placing her hand over his nose and mouth. She stated that he fought back by biting, hitting, and kicking her.
Law enforcement officials expressed empathy for the challenging case, acknowledging its emotional impact as parents themselves. Bowser’s arraignment is scheduled for February 20th.
