A 34-year-old Alabama mother is facing a manslaughter charge after a high-speed police chase ended in tragedy, killing her seven-year-old son and critically injuring her older child.
Delyshia Molette appeared in court on Wednesday for a bond hearing, where shocking testimony revealed the extent of the crash that occurred early Tuesday morning in Mobile County. Molette reportedly fled from police at nearly 90 miles per hour — double the speed limit — before losing control of her vehicle and crashing into a light pole at Schillinger and Howells Ferry Roads.
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Neither of her two children was wearing a seatbelt, according to investigators. Her 11-year-old son survived the crash but remains hospitalized in critical condition with a brain bleed. The courtroom turned emotional when a Mobile Police officer testified that one of the children had died at the scene. Molette appeared stunned and cried out, “Did you say he died? My 7-year-old died?”
Prosecutors said Molette had been fleeing from Semmes Police after being involved in a series of incidents the day before. “She was fleeing after an investigation from the day prior, where she’s been accused of theft and assaulting a police officer,” Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said.
According to authorities, the chain of events began Monday with a shoplifting call at the Publix supermarket on Schillinger Road. When officers approached Molette near the store, she allegedly resisted arrest, biting one officer’s finger and attempting to gouge his eyes before running away.
Police spotted her vehicle again early Tuesday morning, prompting the pursuit. Officers said they ended the chase after realizing children were inside the car, but moments later, Molette lost control and crashed.
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“It was during that flight that she was speeding very excessively, lost control of the vehicle, and wrecked, which unfortunately resulted in the death of a young child,” District Attorney Blackwood said.
During testimony, investigators said Molette told officers she was afraid the Alabama Department of Human Resources would take her children away and that she “just wanted to get away.” Following the bond hearing, the judge denied bail and scheduled her arraignment for Thursday.
The case has left the community reeling as details emerge about the moments leading up to the fatal crash. Law enforcement officials described the incident as a heartbreaking example of reckless decision-making that cost a child his life and left another fighting for survival.