Why is this happening? >> It's in my car. I don't know. >> No, I don't care. Keep him alive. >> So, we were trying to get the knife away from her. She was trying to stab him. >> Parents are supposed to be the safest people in a child's life. But, what happens when these children find dark secrets behind the person who raised them? >> My dad got pissed about it. Like, he put hands on my mom. >> It's good. Good to cry. You know I know your brother loves you, too. You guys are going to get through this all three together, okay? >> These were the moments when children realized their parents were a secret. We begin with the case of a violent incident that left a young man critically injured, leading officers into an investigation that would uncover a shocking truth and end in tragedy. >> What are THEY TRYING TO DO? >> NO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO. >> NO, I DON'T CARE. KEEP HIM ALIVE. >> GO LAY WITH YOUR MOM. >> What are they trying to >> I will tell you, unfortunately, your son did not make it. >> Oh. And I'm so I'm so sorry. >> On February 19th, 2024, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of 21-year-old Jihad lying on the cold ground and covered in blood, while his mother, Laquandra Williams, stood beside him in shock. What officers did not yet know was the disturbing sequence of events that had led to that moment, or how the mother's reckless behavior would ultimately be at the center of the tragedy. >> What are they trying to I need to make sure he's okay. >> What time did it happen? What time did >> Why is this happening? >> I'm a mom. >> I I It's in my car. I don't >> Where at? Which car? >> The red one. You can open >> Red car? Okay. Step over there. >> Just go in. What are THEY TRYING TO DO? >> NO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO. >> NO, I DON'T CARE. KEEP HIM ALIVE. >> GO LAY with your mom. >> What are they trying >> Go inside. I got one down out in front. The mom's out here with me. Uh I got several people inside the apartment. You okay, boss? >> I need to Is he alive? Is he alive? >> Back away. >> No, he's not. Jesus, please. >> Back away. Hey. The mom's over there. Scare her. Lady in the gray T-shirt, that's mom. Go and scare her. >> Gray T-shirt? >> No, no. Gray T-shirt, 40-some-year-old lady. You see her? >> Uh >> Mom was walking right there. >> Does she have a black shirt on? >> That's my That's That's mom. >> Okay. >> Somebody supposedly in the red vehicle over there. I'm not clearing the apartment upstairs yet. >> Tragically, Jihad did not survive, succumbing to his injuries at the scene. What began as a reported had now become a homicide case, demanding swift and deliberate action from the responding officers. >> Nobody else upstairs? >> No. >> Okay. >> First side? >> Mom, supposedly son. Apparently, this is uh this is sister to a relative here. >> That way. That way. >> They're coming down to help them. >> We just going to pick him up. >> Over. >> Going to pick him up now? Help him in the left shoulder. You just going to pick him up? >> All right. >> Jihad Hughes is his name. I don't know how old he is. >> Is he the only person? >> Only Only person we know of right now. >> Did we find the >> Yes, upper right shoulder. It's high in the shoulder right here, going that way. >> All right, great. >> Only victim we know of, right here. >> What do you got, bro? >> Suspect. >> Okay. Yeah, I got the pair of handcuffs here. No medical attention. You don't need it. You don't have to. You might have a pocket knife on you. >> Right here? >> Yeah. I don't know where. >> Got it. >> This guy. >> Anything else on you? >> No. >> Okay. All right. Have a seat. Watch your head down there. Watch your head. Watch your head. Okay. Sit down. She's got oil on her. Okay. >> oil? >> No. >> Okay. All right. I'm going to put this in your car. >> Excuse me. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Can you give me a Can you give me a I need to throw up. >> Okay. Watch your head there. >> Please. Please, God. Please, God. Oh God. Oh God. >> [laughter] >> Jesus. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. >> Here. Get some air. >> Oh please, God. Oh God. Please, oh God. Y'all, oh God. Please. >> [laughter] >> Okay. One thing at a time. >> Y'all don't know. >> One thing at a time. >> [laughter] >> Oh. Oh. >> All right. What is your first name? >> Luquandra Williams. >> What? >> Luquandra Williams. >> spell it? >> L A Q U. >> Q? >> A N D. >> [laughter] >> A N D R A? >> Yes. >> [snorts] >> I don't even know what happened. >> Um my kid I came home from work. From work I work I own a business and my son drove my car that I asked him how I asked him how where you take my car to cuz I I got my car fixed this weekend and he wouldn't answer me and I said uh I I I I I said to him I'm talking to you. I'm talking to you. He wouldn't answer me he and he don't like my boyfriend. He said I'm going to kill you and your boyfriend. He We were fighting in my living room. He never been that to me. And then he He I have a a He has a mines, too. Like we always get into it. Like I don't believe this is happening. Like I can't even cry. Like that's my child. Like you don't know. God mercy, man. What in the world is happening? >> With the woman in custody, officers turned their attention to the family members who had witnessed the tragedy. It was through Jihad's sister's account that a far colder picture began to emerge, one that exposed the unsettling detachment behind the mother's actions. >> What was your name? >> Her name is Lakwanda. >> Your name? >> My name is Maya. >> Maya? >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> What was your last name? >> Hughes. >> [laughter] >> Bro. >> Dad, I need you. >> [laughter] >> Yes, he is. >> Oh my god. >> I need you, Dad. >> I know. I'm in church, buddy. >> [laughter] >> Yes, I see him. He was on the floor. He was breathless. >> [laughter] >> No, they shot him in the chest. >> [laughter] >> Bro. [laughter] She's in the She's in the police car. She's in the car in front of me. >> [laughter] >> Bro. No, I told them not to let her say that because she can't She shot him. >> [laughter] >> Hi. I'm going to want to search I'm Detective Zambrano, Detective Foster. How old are you? >> I'm 20. >> 20? Okay. >> Yeah. >> And what happened today? >> So, I was in my room when everything was happening at first until it started getting bad. My sister started screaming my name. So, I was like halfway was to sleep. and heard my mom coming in the house screaming like about her car. And my brother I had just wrecked my car, so my brother been trying to been driving us to school in her car cuz he didn't want to drive his car. >> Mhm. >> So, he was he drove her car earlier, and she came back in the house like, "Jahad, what what's wrong with my car?" But, I'm sure it's nothing wrong with her car cuz she just be like kind of crazy. >> She got like diagnosed with something? >> No, it's not diagnosed, but it needs to be. >> Okay. >> So, um she came in the house, and she was yelling at him. And Jahad >> Say his name again? >> His name is Jahad. G A mean J A H A A D. >> Okay. >> So, she was yelling at him. How old is he? He's 21. >> 21? >> Yeah. So, she came in the house, when she was yelling at him, he wasn't responding to her because when my mom get to yelling at us like we don't respond cuz if we if we start yelling back, it's going to escalate cuz she always she has a real record of like I'm not going to lie. >> According to the sister, this was not the first time Laquandra had behaved erratically toward her children. For years, they had endured instability and troubling behavior that without proper intervention ultimately escalated into a tragic loss of life. >> So, like we just don't respond to her when she yelling. Like we wait till her to stop yelling when it escalates and then talk. So, she Jahad wasn't responding at all, so she started to and take his like I guess she was trying to take his AirPods out of his ear. Well, that's what he told me cuz I wasn't in there for that. But, I after I after I asked him like, "What happened?" after she was outside Hold on, let me get to it. But, I asked him I I asked him what happened when she was out to take his AirPods out of his ear, and he wasn't letting him, and she started trying to hit him. >> Mhm. >> So, that's when it escalated in the kitchen. Then, she had got the knife cuz Jahad was like pinning her down like wasn't let him. And you know, she was she was getting mad cuz she she was he was blocking her hits. So, she had grabbed the knife, and she was trying to So, we trying to get the knife away from her. >> Did you see that part? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, so we were trying to get the knife away from her cuz she was trying to stab him. So, my brother kept telling me to like get back, get back. And >> Which car is hers? >> Which car? The one that was The one that shot. So, like he told me to step back, so I stepped back. And after he got the knife away from her, she was trying to grab more stuff, but I ended up grabbing the knife cuz we have the knives, you know, multiple knives up in that that stand thing. So, she was trying to grab that, so I grabbed it. She was trying to grab grab the our little coffee holder to throw it at him, but I grabbed that, too. So, she was trying to him after he had ended up getting the knife away from her. She was still like trying to punch him and stuff like that. So, he ended up slamming her on the floor and like pinning her to the ground so she can stop. And afterwards, um after he was pinning her down, he was just telling her like, "I'm not a little boy. You're not going to keep hitting your hands putting your hands on me." And then after um he had ended up letting her get up, so she went downstairs to grab her gun. And I didn't let her cuz she was walking back upstairs, but I didn't let her come upstairs. I locked I locked her outside. >> Okay, so she came outside to get her gun? >> when outside. And And that red car, that red truck over there by the gray two gray Impalas, that's her car. >> Okay. >> And she went to go grab her gun. And then she was walking upstairs, but I wasn't going to let her shoot him. So, I locked the door from her. So, I locked her outside. And Hold [snorts] on. I'm talking really fast. But, I locked her outside and she was screaming like she was She was just trying to get in the house like, "Give me my phone or give me my keys." But, she already had her keys. So, I but I just wouldn't let her in the house. So, Jahad, the reason why he ended up outside cuz he was trying to leave. Do you see his bags over there? His bags are probably on the floor. >> Where at? >> Over there where Over there where she shot him. >> Which car is hers? >> Um >> Red? >> The red car all the way at the back between the two Impalas. Yeah. So, Jahad was trying to get his stuff to leave. Like, he was he wasn't even trying to go do nothing. He was leaving. >> Mhm. >> So, he he had his bags and everything. And I was telling him not to go outside, but he didn't think Of course, nobody going to think their mom is about to shoot them. >> Mhm. >> So, he went downstairs anyways as she he trying to leave. And when when he went outside, I heard the gun and he was like, "Ah!" And then I seen him from the balcony on the floor. And she was trying to >> him stretch out >> No, I heard it. >> You just heard it? >> Yeah, I went out to the balcony. Like I was by the door when when I heard the gunshot cuz I was still holding the door locked. >> Uh-huh. >> Yeah. >> [snorts] >> So, when I heard the gun, I went I went ran to the balcony and I see him on the floor. And she was like trying to >> Are you on the end balcony here? >> The balcony Yeah, right there with the two chairs. Uh-huh. >> So, you ran out there and you saw >> him on the floor. And she was she was trying to help him. On the ground. >> The concrete like Where was it exactly? >> You want me to get out? >> Well, just kind of tell me like straight up >> Like in front of actually like in front of in front of those two cars right there at the end. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And she was trying to trying to help him and stuff like I don't know what she was trying to She looked She looked like she was trying to help him. Even though she saw him. >> Laquandra's reasons for the fatal act were unbelievable. What began as an argument and escalated into an attempt to stab Jihad, ultimately ending in his was not something that happened suddenly. The woman was in a deeply disturbing state of mind driven by a simmering fatal anger toward her children. It was now time to question Laquandra in the hope that her side of the story might reveal hidden details of what had happened. However, her account only exposed even more of her disturbing mindset. >> All right, you can take a seat back there for me. >> Oh my goodness. Look at this life. >> [snorts] >> Do y'all know anything about my son? >> No. >> know anything. >> As soon as we get an update, we'll let you know. >> [snorts] >> Oh. >> [panting] >> Uh Robinson, turn the car back on. All right, you're good. >> No. >> Is there anything I can do to help you? >> No, please. It's just my shoulder. >> Just step this way for me. Go around the back and then you follow that other officer right here. >> I'm Detective This is Detective Paulson and I'm coming in here. Um, we're going to read you your rights. Do you understand your rights? >> No, okay. >> Well, we'll go over them slowly to make sure you understand your rights. I'm going to ask a couple of goofy questions at the beginning of it. Um, so just bear with us. I'm going to give you this so you can follow along with us. Go ahead and ask. Can you tell me what happened? >> Um, so I was leaving my I came home early in between my two clients and Ja used my car and I asked him where he took my car at cuz he took my car to like a the shop and left it there and I said, "Well, did you leave How long did you leave it there? And what what did they do? My car's not rid- riding the way I just got my car fixed." So he wouldn't answer me. So I walked back to the room when I went back into the living room where he was at and I he and he got up to he got up to like grab his stuff >> Mhm. >> and I said, "I'm talking to you. Answer me." And so I threw a glass but I it went over to his head like a candle >> Mhm. >> but it went over his head. It didn't touch him. >> Okay. >> And then he grabbed me up and threw me in the living room, which is something which he never ever ever done. >> Mhm. >> And we have had arguments but he never ever put his hands on me ever. >> Mhm. >> And I was trying to get him off of me. I was getting a knife because I didn't know like he's stronger than I am, way stronger than I am. I didn't know. >> Laquandra's recount of the event did not match what Jihad's sisters had told officers. There was a reason for Jihad to grab her. After being threatened by his own mother with a knife, he had to react to protect himself and his sisters. But Laquandra took this fact out of the picture to selfishly protect herself. >> And out of impulse, I got scared. Well, I will tell you unfortunately your son did not make it. >> Oh. >> And I'm so I'm so sorry. >> Oh, what? >> [gasps] >> They worked on him for at least close to an hour. But he didn't survive his injuries. >> Take me. You can take me. I don't deserve it. He didn't either. Jihad. Jihad. >> I'm sorry. Damn. I I I know the pressures and I feel like that's what happened tonight. I feel like you just snapped cuz you just got so angry. >> IF EVERYTHING LIKE NO, JIHAD. WHAT? Y'all said he's gone FOR REAL? NO, I killed my son. Oh, no. Mhm. Mhm. I'm not going to believe that. And I kind of figured something was going to come. Nobody talked to me while I was out there. I'm like, "Tell me what's going on." >> Well, those guys aren't allowed to. >> No, I did not mean to do that. I did not mean to do that. >> [laughter] >> I did not mean to do that. Jihad. >> At this point, Laquandra tried to deny what had happened clinging to the hope that her son's wasn't real but as the reality of the tragedy slowly settled upon her the full weight of her actions began to press down punishing her in ways she could no longer ignore. >> [sighs] [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] >> In the end Laquanda was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 18 years. Next up officers rushed to a bathroom and discover a baby and her mother lying in a bathtub only to realize the mom was caught in the act of doing the unthinkable. On June 24th 2023 deputies rushed to a frantic 911 call from a 15 year old who was screaming for help as they entered the home they were met with the sounds of a violent commotion coming from behind a locked bathroom door in the basement. >> Looks like the mother had stabbed her sister we're trying to get her to we don't know where she's at. >> We're out telling you to come in it's going to be the one on the right right there with the door ajar. >> Make an entry channel. Make an entry. >> Sheriff's department. Public safety. >> There's someone in here. >> You're moving to the left? >> Yep. >> That's priority. >> Let's [music] check it. Go to >> No. >> [snorts] >> What's going on? >> Rope. >> Dispatch 2706. I got a child with a wound in the chest. Need medical priority one. >> The officers searched the house, and when they reached the locked bathroom door, they prepared for the worst. As they forced the door open, they were met with a sight that would haunt them for the rest of their lives. >> Stand up. >> The mother was drowning it in the bathtub when we found it. >> Stay there. >> I'm clear. 1317. >> Stand up. >> I said whoever we got. >> 80 5418. Check that way. >> 80 I've to get a DB on the line as well, if you can, please. >> Okay. >> The mother, Jessica Deirdre Edward Ricks, allegedly injured herself and her two and four-year-old children by making them ingest a cleaning liquid. With seconds to spare, an officer performed CPR hoping for a miracle. Jessica Edward Ricks was taken into custody and transported to a hospital due to concern she might have ingested cleaning fluid. Her two youngest children were later airlifted to a children's hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan and were reported to be stable. Jessica was charged with two counts of battery with intent to commit homicide, two counts of first-degree abuse, and two counts of second-degree abuse. Next up, when children were left desperate after their mother's sudden disappearance only to discover [music] how far their father's anger was willing to go. >> My parents have from the start always had problems [music] and fights and arguments and stuff like that. There was a few times that my dad has put his hands on my mom. Sorry about that, so >> You're very strong. >> On April 4th, 2024, officers from New Mexico were dispatched to a remote stretch of desert after a 911 call reporting that a woman's body had been discovered. As investigators began processing the scene, they had no idea the case was about to take a series of unexpected and mysterious turns. >> 911 emergency. >> Hi, yes, I'm at the Las Cruces, New Mexico. A man near Zia Middle School got out of a car and just shot a lady and I witnessed it. She was in the vehicle, she got out, and he shot her. She was running, she's barefooted, and I'm covered in her blood now. >> Looks like there's at least three at the moment. >> Three? >> Yeah, right here in the >> Are they lined up? >> Pretty much lined up, yeah. And I think the shirt might also show some of that. >> Okay. >> Okay, see if there's anything here in the head area. There's one right there. Looks like there's one right there and one there. These are the three. So, let's see if we can match them up right where they were. See, this was her shoulder. And these were the Unfortunately, it's because of the dirt, it's a little hard to see, but there's definitely one here. And one there. See the purple through there? >> Mhm. >> Let me open it up a little bit more. Oh, see that? There you go. That's the first injury there. Next one is the lower. There's a little bit of blood on here, right here. See? That's the second one. >> 13 43 70. >> actually a tissue right here. Right there is a tissue on the shirt. >> She's um leaking really bad now. >> Okay. Yeah, it's coming from the lungs, probably. >> Yeah. >> Do you see that means it's possibly two wounds here? >> It's two wounds too. So, the total baby wipes >> Take that camera off the tripod. >> He hurt taking photos of her. I He took photos of her too. And with the rain >> It's going to be identified. >> So, she had some work done? >> Can you see the facial works? >> Oh, yeah. >> She was on that phone. >> Do you have EMS doing anything? >> No, this this She's a professional. >> Yeah. I think she looks like somebody who would carry a purse. >> Yeah, that's what I was thinking. That purse would most likely be in that vehicle. >> Throughout the night, investigators searched for evidence that could help identify the woman. With no immediate leads, the case quickly reached a standstill. Everything changed when an unexpected call came from 18-year-old Sarah Sandoval, who had tracked the location of her mother, 39-year-old Shireen El Jibouri, after she mysteriously disappeared. And her discovery would soon reveal a far deeper motive behind the case. >> Do you know exactly where he is? I mean, did he run? >> Not exactly. >> And is um are they like actively working on looking for him? Because I have a feeling that he did flee to Mexico. >> To Mexico? >> Yeah, because um where we found the car parked >> Real close to the border? >> border like like you can just walk over because I don't think there was any border. >> Has he um has he ever fled to Mexico before or gone to Mexico? >> Um >> A family or anything like that? >> When he was living in California, whenever he commit crimes, he would uh flee to Mexico. >> Okay. Does he have family or any ties over there? Or he just kind of run away? >> He has family there, but I think all of them are dead. I don't know if he would go out there with them. All right, before he left, he uh coincidentally gave my brother all his car titles and on our town on our one of our couches he had everything there just he put everything in my brother's name and I I think he was meditating my dad. Legally he can't help us cuz he's worried. And he never keeps guns in the car. I knew he has two guns and he never keeps guns in the car. And that's the one time that he's ever put >> Were they Were they like fighting or anything yesterday morning? >> I don't live at the house anymore because of the issues that they've been having. They've been fighting for the last two months and I my dad ended up kicking me out because of it. So, yeah, they've been having a lot [snorts] of problems. I know you guys going to put like a missing person >> A missing person? >> Yeah. >> For >> For my dad. >> Not that I know of. At this point Sarah revealed that Shireen had been experiencing ongoing problems with her husband, 57-year-old Oscar Rene Sandoval. The situation became even more alarming when investigators learned that Oscar had also vanished just hours earlier. >> He's at a CVS in El Paso just the night before last. >> Uh-huh. >> So, we're >> [snorts] >> interviewing him to see what other information that he can give as well as who sent money to the target. Cuz somebody sent him money. >> Oh, okay. So, he is being helped? >> I'm sorry? >> He is being helped. >> Yes. >> Somebody is helping him? Okay. And the guy you're interviewing is >> He is one of the workers. >> Uh-huh. Okay. >> he's I guess another one of the workers that um Sandoval requested assistance on. So, what he's what we've gathered so far is that Sandoval showed up at his house walking and told him that his truck broke down and that, you know, he needed a ride. >> it from someone? >> Um So, they came over to CVS. Um money was sent like wired from somebody. Um and then the worker pulled the money out for him because Sandoval said, "I don't have my ID or anything, so I need you to get the money for me." CVS now obtaining camera footage of him >> Mhm. >> and also getting the information on who sent the money. >> Mhm. >> And it looks like a relative out of California sent Sandoval the money. >> That's why the phone calls to California. >> After 48 hours, investigators contacted authorities in Mexico. After receiving information that the suspect, Oscar, might have fled the country, investigators realized the connections between the events were far more than mere coincidence. >> How has your family life been starting when you were little all the way up to present? >> Um well, I mean, it's always been pretty rocky, honestly. My parents have from the start always had problems and fights and arguments and stuff like that. I mean, sometimes they'd get along and um mostly for the sake of us and Yeah. And yeah, it's just always been like um pretty um rocky, like up and down. >> Would you say they had a that it wasn't a happy marriage? >> Uh no, not at all. >> Did your mom ever share any of that with you? >> Yeah, she did. >> Okay, what did she tell you? >> Um she would just tell me that she um didn't want to be with him, but um she was with him for the sake of us, like from the start, like she um was just doing her best to make things work cuz um they had kids together. >> They had >> Because they had kids together. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> All three of you, right? >> Yeah. >> When did she start sharing that with you? How old were you then? >> Really young, honestly. I think it was um like when we moved into the house that my dad built. I I think I was like maybe eight. >> Okay, so when you all lived in the mobile home, how do you think the marriage was? >> Um, I think it was probably better than I mean, they would have some pretty intense fights at times, but um I think it was probably better than we were also young, so it probably seemed better at the time cuz they didn't let us in on anything that was going on. >> Okay. >> But yeah. >> Okay, so um, how old were you when you started noticing that they were having arguments and stuff like that? >> Honestly, when I was like really young. I mean, there was a few times that my my dad has put his hands on my mom. >> Sarah's statement became the first step toward understanding what could have motivated the crime, but it was the testimony of her 17-year-old brother, Amir Sandoval, that revealed the family had been living in fear for years. >> When you were young, did you see that, too? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. What what is it you saw? >> Um >> When starting when you were young. >> Oh, like from the jump, like just them arguing and literally like my dad like laying hands on my mom. Of course, I couldn't do anything about it cuz I'm like this little kid just seeing it, but yeah, I mean, seeing her, but I mean, yeah. >> Okay, so from when you were little to now, was this constant? >> Um, it stopped for a while, but the arguments didn't stop, of course. Um, back like in quarantine, my mom and him got into like a dumb argument and my dad got pissed about it and like like he put hands on my mom and after that, that was the last time and then of course, well, now well, you know what I mean. So >> Okay. Now that you're you were getting older, um, did you try to intervene if he laid hands on your mom? >> Oh, yeah, most definitely and especially after like when my mom like when she was back from Michigan, like like I knew from the jump like if he were to do something like you're always like there's no holding back. Like like it was just >> So, did you have a physical fight with your dad to protect your mom? >> Um, for me, no. >> Okay, but did you ever protect your mom by verbally? >> yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Okay, did you try to stand in front of her to protect? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay, how about you, brother? >> Uh, my brother do the same thing. And I know for sure that like if my like dad like like before the incident like when my mom came back, if you were to lay hands like it's just me and him versus our dad, of course. It's just There's like like I said, there's just no holding back. >> Okay. >> Investigators realized the violence Sherin Aljabri had endured was not isolated to her alone. As the investigation continued, growing evidence suggested other members of the family had also been living in fear. >> So, did your dad ever um any of you you or your brother? >> Uh, yeah, for disciplinary reasons. >> Okay. And when did it did it start when you were little? >> Yeah, yeah, of course. >> All the way up to now? >> Um, he actually he stopped cuz I mean, we got older, so there's like there's no point of like him doing it, so he he stopped. >> In front of you where he did uh, physically? >> Yeah, I mean, when we were when we were babies, um my dad had punched my mom in the face while we were in his lap. I was in her lap, so. >> Okay. While you were in her lap? >> Yeah, like us two were like um in her lap this and he [clears throat] >> How old were you then? >> Um, younger than five. >> And you and you've always remembered that. It's It's hard to forget. Now as you were getting older did you see and intervene? >> Um, yeah, I remember there was this one time um in the house that my dad built. Um yeah, they were in the kitchen. They were arguing. And I don't know, at the time things were pretty bad and um I think my dad was like planning like some sort of legal something cuz he would like he would record all the fights and conversations and stuff. >> He did? >> Yeah. >> With what? >> I think with his phone. He would record the fights. Um so he could do something legal. He never ended up doing with it, but he had [snorts] plans of it. Um And yeah, they had gone to a fight and then my dad had pushed her in the kitchen and started beating her and then >> You were present? >> Yeah, I was I was there and yeah, I was yelling at him and >> How old were you then? >> I was probably like 14. >> Okay. Okay. He physically hurt her? >> Mhm. >> Was it like just quick one or constant? >> Well, that time he it was multiple like punches. >> And where did he hurt her? >> Um I just saw all over her body. >> Officers discovered that Oscar had turned one act of apparent self-defense into an opportunity to report Shireen to authorities. According to the family, her immigration status had become another tool he used to maintain control over her. >> She had bruises all over her body. >> And face, [clears throat] too? >> Yeah, and he he had threw her on the floor. So. >> Okay. And did your mom try to fight back? >> Uh yeah, she did. She was mostly just trying to protect herself and like just like covering herself and stuff like that. >> Was the police ever called in? >> No. >> Okay. Any reason why? >> Mainly because my mom like since when we were younger my dad actually like called the cops on her and like said like that he hurt her and stuff and she went to jail for it. And since my mom's an immigrant, like now like because she had a record like she couldn't get her ID. And if they were to call the cops, well, you know, she would have probably went back cuz of the >> What did he >> Yeah. So, that's [snorts] the main reason why >> kind of why they held back from calling. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Okay. Now, he called the the cops at one time, right? >> Yeah, when we were like well, I don't even think I was born at the time. >> No, he was a baby. >> Okay. And and she had gotten arrested for that. Okay. And so, since then she herself would avoid calling, right? >> Yeah. >> Police because of >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um okay, so your your mom was never went to get a US US citizenship. >> She had a green card, but she didn't have her um >> Sis, like her >> Okay. >> I understand um this you know that there was a possibility that um she was pregnant. >> She was pregnant. Um but she got She told me that she was 2 months pregnant and then the day that they had the abortion was >> When did she tell you that um she was pregnant? >> I have the messages. Um Hold on. >> Amir, were you aware of that? >> Yeah, it's cuz I remember the day of like when like she took the pregnancy test like she told my dad. I wasn't supposed to find out, but I went to the restroom. Like I saw the pregnancy test. I was like, "Okay." And I don't want my mom knowing, so I was like like I just kind of like played dumb. And then when she said like she was going to Albuquerque, like I was like, "Oh like like playing off like, "Oh, where are you going?" She was like, "Oh I like I just like I got to go to the doctor or something." >> At this point, while the motive remained unclear, the teenagers began sharing new information that raised serious concerns among investigators. >> She was planning on going to Albuquerque or she did go? >> No, yeah, she did go. >> Okay, who took her? >> My dad. >> And you and you yourself didn't know um didn't really know why. They never told you why, right? >> Yeah. >> But you you suspected something. How about you? >> My dad was texting me throughout the day, but I was at work. And my um over the like the last 2 weeks like my dad had been texting me every day, but cuz he was like trying to build our relationship, but I kind of didn't want anything to do with him. So I would just ignore the messages. Like he'd always be sending me like like TikToks like father-daughter TikToks. And I just always ignored the messages. And so they were just normal for me to like just be ignoring the messages. So he was like he was texting me at work. I read them, but I didn't ignore I didn't um respond or anything. But he told me he's like, "Oh your mom your mom might be pregnant and it's most likely going to be your sister. She is pregnant. I'm going to fight like heck for that baby like I did for you and Amir. I might need to support to fight for the baby, too. Taking the baby's life would not be right. And then so he had called me and told me that my mom might be pregnant and he told me not to tell her that that I that I knew that she might be pregnant. >> Those are text messages you got? >> No, those were it was a phone call. Like he told me that not to tell her anything that I might know. So later in the day my mom text me at 11:00 at night and she's like that she had an emergency. And I was like, "What?" And then she sent me the pregnancy test. And then and then she told me, "Oh, and there's no abortions in Texas. Los Cruces doesn't offer it either." And I was just like, "No way." And then she's like, "Only in Albuquerque." And I was like, "You're joking." And then she's like, "I swear to God I'm not." Um and then she told me that she was going to call about the abortion. >> All of those are text messages. Do you think it's going to be a >> Yeah, and then she told me that she was 2 months pregnant. And then so like keep up that apparently that I didn't know. I just told her I was like, "Oh, just don't tell Dad." And she's like, "No, well your dad wanted to keep that and I'm not keeping it for that." And then I told her I was like, "Yeah, don't keep it." Um >> So your mom is the one who decided to have the abortion. >> Yeah. >> The teenagers' anguish was evident as they desperately waited to learn what had happened to their mother. It took only a single confirmation for them to break down in tears. >> wanted the abortion. Your dad did not want it. >> [clears throat] >> No, my dad didn't want the abortion. >> yet he took her to have one. >> Yes, he did. >> Was there arguments about that? >> I don't think they actually argued about it. Yeah, I don't think it were I was actually a fight. I mean, did you did they fight about it? >> No. >> No, I don't think they fought about it. >> Okay. So I guess he agreed to go ahead and let her have it. >> Yeah. >> Did they make you live with a man, okay? So to talk about it and to get some help. Don't keep it all in cuz eventually it all blows up, you know? I'll me you that. So. You're you're You're very strong, you are. I know. It's all right. That's what we're here for, okay? I know that. >> [sighs and snorts] >> It's good. It's good to cry. What you're going through is not easy. Your sister loves you. She's here for you. And I know your brother loves you, too. You guys are going to get through this all three together, okay? >> On April 9th, 2024, 5 after the interview, officers traveled to Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, where Oscar had been arrested after a family friend helped lure him into a trap. Once Oscar was taken into custody, investigators interviewed family friends Lynn and Danny Peter, whose testimony began to reveal Oscar's behavior in the days leading up to his arrest. >> And so he You met him as a client. >> Yeah, he came in as a client. >> Okay. >> Well, a roofer. >> Right. >> Yeah, right. >> Okay. And did he come see you as for spiritual advice or roofing? >> No, spiritual advice. >> I noticed that on your truck and your advertisement that you specialize on love. >> Love, everything. >> Okay. So, obviously that's pretty much what he was seeking advice for. >> He was seeking love. But he's been mar- He was married about 17 or 18 years. His wife is gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. >> Mhm. You met her? >> I met her once. >> Okay. And was it there at your office or >> Oh, no. I just met her through >> Passion? >> Yeah. Well, you know, the kids I practically raised his kids. >> Oh. >> His two boys and his girl, they always came to me. Like this. Now they're all >> So you watched them grow up? >> Yeah, I did. >> But his wife never came down with him. >> She's Arabic. >> Right. >> Funny. You know what I mean? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Now, without getting too much in the love portion if you talked to him he said sounds to me that it was more of a marital problem that he was seeking advice from. >> Not really. He wanted to keep his wife, get a girlfriend, something like that. You know, things like that. He said, "Plus she gets on my nerves, this and that." This is many, many years ago. >> Right. Right. >> He said, "I met a girl. What do you think?" You know, stuff like that. >> Mhm. Okay. >> But he used to come all the time. >> Okay. >> You know, sit down, talk. He used to come over here for dinner. >> Not as a client, as a friend. >> As a friend. And then he came back and he looked different. He got muscles now, you know, he he said he was working out and everything. He looked so different. He came here with my husband. We were laughing, joking, stuff like that. But he he did look weird to me. >> Okay. >> At this point, Lynn told investigators that Oscar had become increasingly frustrated as he began losing control over his family. According to her, his anger had become impossible to ignore. >> In what way? >> Like he he wasn't really he said, "I hate everybody. This This This girl's driving me crazy." Stuff like that. But you know, I said, "Why don't you bring her over? Let's have a you know, a dinner or something." Stuff like that. We're like that. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. He says, "Nah, my sons are mad at me." You know, even though he came back and he was here about 3 months when he came back before all this happened. He just says, "I my daughter doesn't want to talk to me no more." Things like that. I said, "Oh, come on. You know your daughter loves you." Cuz she's a pretty beautiful little girl, too. >> Okay. So, did it sound like he was having a lot of marital problems? >> That I can't say cuz he came back for 3 months from he was away almost 8 months in California. >> Right. >> I said, "Where was you?" He said, "Well, I was working with my brother." And stuff like that. >> And leading up to the month before the incident happened, >> Yeah. >> could you sense a lot of frustration towards his his wife or anything? >> Well, I didn't see his wife. You know that. >> Right. >> I told you I'd seen her one time. That was a long time ago. >> No, no, but him [clears throat] personally. If you sensed a lot of frustration >> He still wanted to get another girlfriend, I think. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Did he want a divorce his wife? >> No. >> That she did >> He said, "What am I supposed to do?" I said, "Well, what you're supposed to do is if she gets sick and you got your kids and everything, get insurance on her." >> Mhm. >> Which is so He said, "Insurance?" He didn't even think about it. >> What kind of insurance? >> Life insurance. >> Life? >> Yeah. I said get life insurance, but she always used to go do her own thing. Old Todd's this, that, everything. She's gorgeous. He needed some money. >> Mhm. >> I gave him a few hundred dollars. >> Did he say why he needed the money? >> He needed money for the food. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, he didn't have nothing on him. I don't know how what he did when he did what he did with his wife. He just took off and >> What Oscar failed to realize was that throughout it all, he was revealing new pieces of evidence that would later be used against him. >> He loves her as a mom. Always very respectful, never harming. The only thing his complaint was his relationship. >> Well, I said the same thing. >> Never happy with his wife, you know, that that's common with people that come in here. >> Right, and that was going to be my question. Did So, at what point from the time you met him >> Yes, sir. >> to when you started talking to him about his wife, did was there any of that time did he complain of her or >> Well, his parts were he's just not happy. >> Okay. >> Basically, that's where Not that he wanted to leave her or anything. He always said that he loves her. >> Okay. >> He always said that he loves her very much. And I said, "Look, if you're married to one or you're married to the other one, excuse the expression, my dad always said if you turn them upside down, they all look like sisters." Basically, that's where it was. No no hard feelings but I'm telling you truthfully that was the statement. You're not going to find anything better on the other side of the of the road. So why keep hunting? Having a girlfriend or doing something there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe there is maybe there isn't. He was more aggravated at his daughter. Okay. And the last thing that he mentioned was that he believed that she should be and that she was killed and thrown in a dumpster. >> The wife. >> burned and thrown in a dumpster. >> you spoke of. >> Uh before we go any further in that Danny, I do need to let you know that I think you need to be concerned about, okay? Just to be aware and that's kind of why I'm here also. Uh we got his jail calls starting from the day he got incarcerated to about 30 calls, okay? So we monitored them all. And in one of them he's telling his sister-in-law and he's and she's like kind of asking him well what happened he won't talk about it. >> It's like he said that. >> did Yeah, he just flat told her he goes, "Mark my words, okay? I want you to listen to this." What he did tell her was, "I know that Danny is the one who gave me up." >> Oh yeah. >> With the evidence gathered Oscar was immediately taken into custody. Seemingly aware that investigators already had a clear understanding of what had happened he quickly shifted his demeanor presenting himself as a concerned father. >> I wish one for first degree >> And you are Oscar Rene Somoza. >> I am. >> You can decide any time from this moment to terminate the interview and exercise these rights. Is that your rights, okay? >> [snorts] >> Do you understand each of these rights I explained to you? >> I believe so. >> Having these rights in mind do you wish to talk to us now? >> No, I have an attorney. >> Okay. >> Do you have your Miranda rights? >> Can you sign here? >> Yeah. >> Do you know if I have a bond by any chance? >> You won't know that till you get to the detention center. >> Oh, is that right? [clears throat] >> They'll be able to tell you. >> All right. >> They'll tell you when you speak to the judge. All the All those other questions you have, they'll let you know then. And that's when you'll get your phone call as well, sir. >> I'm going to get bonded out. I got my kids. >> Well, your kids know you're safe. >> Yeah. >> Got some good kids, huh? >> [snorts] >> It's all right. They were worried about you. >> They were worried. Crazy [ __ ] man. >> It's all right to cry, man. All right, let me get you some tissue. Yeah, that's >> [snorts] >> It's been a long couple days, huh? >> I can't You got to just picture them. Oh, man. >> [snorts] >> Oh. >> Yeah, huh? I I just talked to your kids. So, they're they're all right. >> Good kids. >> They're taking care of each other. I can tell you that. If that helps. >> In the end, Oscar Rene was charged with first-degree Up next, a young woman whose desperate 911 call revealed the terrifying danger she had been living inside her own home. >> All right, I'm sorry, what happened? >> I was scared. >> Okay, by who? >> My mom. >> Your what? >> She has We got a call for service here. >> Not here. >> Lady, don't play the game. >> Man, we got somebody on the floor, bro. >> On January 16th, 2025, officers from Tampa, Florida responded to a 911 call from a residence after a young woman identified as 18-year-old Natavia Sylveus cried out for help, reporting that her mother, Rotasha Sylveus, had injured her while she was sleeping. What initially appeared to be a domestic incident would soon unfold into a heartbreaking tragedy. >> Tampa Police 911, what is the address of the emergency? >> I just woke up from >> [clears throat] >> passing out. >> Okay, I'm sorry. What happened? >> I was >> Okay, by who? >> I don't know. >> I'm sorry, by who? >> I don't know. >> Is she still there? >> Yes. >> How long ago did this happen? >> It happened like like 30 40 minutes ago. I JUST WOKE UP. >> OKAY. WHERE IS YOUR MOTHER NOW? >> SHE'S over in my room. >> All right. >> Good morning. He's on the phone. >> Everybody? >> Okay. Can you come up for me real quick, please? >> For what? >> Because we got a call for service here. >> No, I'm here. >> Lady >> Don't play the game. >> You even do that, I'll do this. >> That was a I have a warrant. >> Ma'am, stop. >> Stop it. You're not going to stop us from entering the house. >> I got this. >> I didn't do anything. >> I didn't >> Ma'am, open the door. >> Stop. >> I'm just kidding. 31 come to the front. Ma'am, stop resisting us. Stop resisting. We're here for a lawful reason, okay? >> I have a warrant. >> You're going to have Sit Sit down. >> Look on my Facebook. >> Sit down. We're here to You know what? Come up. Stand up. Stand up. >> You don't have to be aggressive. I don't >> No, do me a favor. Hey. Hey. Hey, stop. Hey, do me a favor. Just hang out with her where my car. I got to go upstairs, man. In the car, please. Figure it out. Just keep an eye on this. >> Rodesha's refusal to let officers inside immediately raised their suspicions. As they entered the residence, another concern quickly emerged when they realized that Natavia was nowhere to be found. >> [ __ ] man. We got somebody on the floor, bro. She was 607, bro. >> Upstairs. Upstairs. >> No, no, she's in the kitchen. >> Yeah. >> Kitchen. >> Right here, man. >> Okay. Kitchen. >> No response at all. >> Yeah. >> All right. Let people out of the ambulance prior to what they got to do, and then we're going to rope this off. >> Step out, oh my god. Step out, ma'am. >> Run out. >> [music] >> Come on. She come back here? >> No. >> Huh? >> No. >> Huh? Police stop? Police stop backing up this way, please. So I can do your search. >> So >> Real I need you to like Yeah, yeah. >> You give one of them the corner and you say she was what? >> Natavia was found on the kitchen floor, barely conscious, leaving little doubt about who was responsible. But as investigators began piecing the case together, one unexpected action by Rotesha left officers in disbelief. >> Did she act like she was on drugs or anything? >> No. No, she was she was uh talking about a report and she started making something about making something exactly what she said. Something about we'll just have fun. Don't let her fall. All right, you want to put it back in there? >> Put her back in the car. Did you take anything or anything like that? No. >> What chance? >> Not yet. >> We're just coming to talk. >> Young lady, what's your name? >> Rotesha Silver. >> And uh you live here? How long have you lived here? >> A few months. >> Few months? Okay, who do you live here with? >> Me and my children. >> Your children? The small children? Like the babies? I seen one or two little babies. Uh what about the the other person there? >> No, I have three. >> You have three kids? How old are your kids? How old are they? >> Nine, three, and four. >> At this point, Rotation never acknowledged that Natavia was her daughter. Her cold demeanor and repeated claims that she couldn't remember left investigators increasingly suspicious. >> So, who's here today with you? >> Me and my three kids. >> You and your three kids? Okay. The three and four-year-old, were they upstairs? Okay. And then, where's your nine Where's your nine-year-old? >> They're all upstairs. >> They're all upstairs? >> We were all up there. >> Okay. >> We just got up and I was going to give them a bath. >> Who uh Who's in the kitchen? Somebody's in the kitchen a little bit older than nine, though. They're not nine years old. >> I can't answer you. >> You couldn't even tell you? >> All they asked for is her case. >> Okay. Well, there's Okay. All right, hang tight. Hang tight. All right, sorry. >> Do you want to see the fire department? Do you want them to check you out? >> I'm fine. I just want my kids. >> She's fine. >> I don't know what happened, like >> You want me to just to take vitals or something? >> Who went to the hospital just now, do you know? >> I said yeah. >> Who Who was that? Oh, you have four kids? Okay. What was that daughter's name? >> Natavia's dad. >> He just said that I could go to the ER and they'll give me everything >> No, you will do that at the jail. They have Yeah, the Orient jail has a whole medical staff there that We're not We're not going to the hospital. >> Oh, wow. >> Especially your arm. Yeah. So, is there anything else you need them for, ma'am? Okay. Thanks, man. Sorry. >> I already applied it. >> I told her I could give her a bandage, but yeah. >> In the end, despite being rushed to the hospital, Natavia Silveous succumbed to her injuries. As a result, [music] the charges against Rotashia Silveous were upgraded to murder. Up next, what began as a report of illegal labor at a rural property turned into something far worse once investigators uncovered how eight young individuals had been forced to live there. >> New Mexico State Police. >> You know, that looks like a bunker. >> There's part of this bathroom stuff out here. >> My biggest concern is like if the kids are safe. Like there's a lot of concerns for your Like there's no like barrier. You know, one of the little ones can just straight up fall in. >> On October 23rd, 2024, police arrived at a remote New Mexico property after a 16-year-old girl revealed years of mistreatment. Body cameras rolled as officers walked through a wasteland of trash and decay, calling out repeatedly. No one answered. Only a run-down trailer and holes in the ground stood where a home should have been. >> Hello. Hello. New Mexico State Police. >> The dogs are back here. >> Just be >> I don't I don't think they'd booby trap it, but you guys already know. Just 48. >> There's a white van? >> Uh-huh. >> Oh, okay. So, this is the camper? >> Hello. New Mexico State Police. >> You know, that looks like a bunker. >> We can leave the home, but we need the attention. >> See if they're home. >> Melvin Cordell, Valerie Cordell. We want to talk to you guys real quick. We have CYFD here. Hello. Hello. >> Hello, New Mexico State Police. ARE YOU GUYS HOME? I'M NOT sure if this down here is your guys' residence. We're trying to make contact with you guys. Hello, hello. >> The girl had described >> New Mexico State Police, hello. >> Stay right here. The girl had described that >> Hello. >> Is that there well? >> There's part of this bathroom stuff over here. We're just trying to make contact with you guys. Information, let's go. Hello. >> The girl had described living in underground chambers carved into the earth, wearing filthy clothes, eating spoiled food, and using buckets as toilets. As officers moved through the property, they spotted exactly what she described. Buckets everywhere, makeshift bedding, holes in the ground where children apparently sought shelter from the elements. >> I mean, that's the Is that the free food that they get? >> Yeah, but look, this isn't incredible. Like these adults have >> 100% you're right. Yeah, look at That's probably out in the sun. >> Yeah. >> One more time. Deming's hot. Okay. Trailer has stuff stacked up. The door's not secured. Uh we can check this trailer. There's stuff stacked up. The door I I could probably push it in, but it's I'm knocking, nothing there. So, the only thing that I can think of in the residence is what was described, which is the bed, cuz at least that's true. That's known to be true. >> Mhm. >> Um uh the little pooping containers that are everywhere. >> My biggest concern is like if the kids are staying like there's a lot of concerns, but just like there's no like barrier. You know, one of the little ones can just really fall in that big old hole and really >> Yes. >> hurt themselves. That's like my biggest thing right now is like that big old drop. >> When officers returned the next day, Melvin and Valerie Cordell were waiting, calm, composed, almost as if expecting them. They asked for chairs, mentioned being thirsty, made small talk like this was any ordinary visit. No urgency, no concern about why authorities had come. >> Um I was told that I'll be meeting Officer Cardillo. >> He's on his way right now. >> Okay. >> So, maybe another 5 minutes or so. All right. >> I need to get my wife a chair. >> A chair? >> And she's probably thirsty. >> She uh you guys want to sit in the car for a second? I mean, that'll be air conditioned and stuff and you'll be seated cuz they'll be here in about 5 minutes and then you guys can talk to Agent Cardillo and stuff. >> I um I think they mentioned yesterday Officer My name is My name is Melvin. Um they mentioned yesterday Agent Cardillo's ringing. But I didn't catch it. I don't know what this respect is and what I mean. >> Uh he should be here in a minute so he can talk to you. Let us know what we're going to do cuz he's the investigator for this. But like he said, if you need a place to sit, you're welcome to wait in the car till he shows up. It's it's up to you. You can just go wait over there. Take a seat. He'll be here in a moment. >> Melvin spoke about growing watermelons and cucumbers, about being self-sustaining, about horses and dogs that had died. His words wandered through a strange narrative completely detached from the squalor surrounding them as if he didn't see what everyone else could. >> See, we're not interested in marketing produce because we would rather just be self-sustaining and then be able to feed others, you know, be able to share. >> We had a lot of horses that every time we left after the up the whoever threatened our kids. Every time we came back, one of our horses would >> Yeah, we lost livestock. Dogs were there. Uh we had we had a uh I think three good collection of dogs ourselves. And they kind of protected our dogs for a while before Cuz they were taking as soon as they were taking the sergeant and all that stuff. Yeah, it's a >> Were you actually able to grow any crops? >> Yes, my little oil pump and a lot of noise and cucumbers, tomatoes, onions. >> Two months later, investigators returned with a search warrant. They combed through the property finding tunnels carved into the earth, bedding hidden in the dark, and evidence that confirmed every word the girl had spoken. The nightmare was real. >> You cool with me? >> State police, search warrant. If you're out here and hear me, MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN. >> [panting] >> STATE POLICE, SEARCH WARRANT. If you're out here and hear me, MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN. YOU MUST CHECK THAT AREA RIGHT THERE IS USED AS a little bedroom area. Watch me. You got a hit? >> It doesn't seem like it, but there's a bunch of them. It's like random areas where they they stay at. State Police, SEARCH WARRANT! If you can hear me, MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN. PROBABLY ONE OF THE CLEANER LIVING CONDITIONS. >> Melvin and Valerie Cordell were arrested and faced numerous charges, including criminal sexual conduct involving a young person and multiple counts of endangerment. All eight children were finally removed and placed into protective custody.