A Coral Springs man was arrested on an attempted murder charge Sunday after allegedly attempting to kill his 82-year-old mother by beating her with a frying pan and attempting to smother her.
Keith Evan Woodward, 53, was taken into custody after police reported that he confessed to trying to kill his mother due to her early dementia and the need for constant care. According to the arrest report, Woodward told authorities he “intended to kill his mother” because of her condition.
The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, as Woodward and his mother were searching for a phone number for a caretaker. Woodward, armed with a large frying pan, entered his mother’s bedroom, where she was lying on the bed, and struck her in the head in an attempt to kill her.
“Keith armed himself with a large frying pan, entered (her) bedroom, approached her as she lay on the bed and struck her in the head with the pan in an attempt to kill her,” Coral Springs Police Department Detective Jeremy Racine said in the report.
A violent struggle ensued, with Woodward climbing on top of his mother and attempting to smother her with pillows from the bed. The elderly woman resisted, pushing him off, pinching him, and repeatedly shouting that she couldn’t breathe.
Despite her attempts to escape, Woodward struck her at least twice more with the frying pan before trying to smother her again. In a final act of desperation, Woodward’s mother managed to slip out from under him, falling to the floor and fleeing the room.
She ran out the garage door with Woodward in pursuit, but police say he stopped when she reached safety, later reporting feeling guilty for his actions and calling first responders.
Woodward reportedly told a dispatcher, “I’m going to hell” for what he had done. His mother was taken to Broward Health Coral Springs, where she was “alert and conscious,” though she suffered severe bruising. The full extent of her injuries has yet to be determined by hospital staff.
In court on Monday, Woodward was ordered held without bond and prohibited from having any contact with his mother. He was also ordered to undergo a mental health screening.
READ NEXT
- Donald Trump refuses to leave stage during Spain’s World Cup trophy lift
- Missouri man charged with murder after shooting group he saw “rummaging” through his car
- Prince Harry breaks silence on Queen Camilla relationship: “I love every member of my family’
- JD Vance family travel demands draw frustration from Secret Service agents
- Prince Harry Faces Major Setback After Eye-Watering Bill in Phone-Hacking Case Loss