Tomball, TX – A Houston-area mother, Melissa Towne, who admitted to stabbing her 5-year-old daughter to death in 2022, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to Harris County court documents.
Civil Commitment
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Towne will be civilly committed for a term equal to what would have been her prison sentence, which could potentially last the remainder of her life.
Incident Details
In October 2022, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that Towne admitted to stabbing her daughter in the neck at Spring Creek Park in Tomball.
Court documents revealed that the child was screaming “I’ve been good” while trying to survive. Towne allegedly told her daughter to “stop fighting it,” placed a plastic bag over her head, and sat on the child to suffocate her until she became lifeless.
Towne reportedly drove to a nearby hospital, asking for a wheelchair because her daughter was hurt. A nurse discovered the child wrapped in plastic and mesh bags inside Towne’s vehicle. The child was unresponsive with a cut on her neck and was later pronounced dead.
Background
Prior to the incident, Towne had expressed beliefs that her daughter was evil, reportedly comparing her to the “Chucky” doll from horror films. Child Protective Services (CPS) had been involved with Towne multiple times, and an open investigation was active at the time of the child’s death.
Towne has three other children, ranging in age from 2 to 18 years old, according to reports.
Community Response
The case has prompted concern from both local authorities and child welfare advocates, highlighting the importance of mental health intervention and child protection.
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