Tampa man accused of stabbing mother 18 times, killing cat

TAMPA — For years, Louise Squier, 71, tried to help her adult son.

She kept his psychiatric medications under her mattress so he wouldn't overdose. She called 911 when he became uncontrollable. Once, when he refused to eat for days, she asked Hillsborough deputies to detain him under the Baker Act.

Late Sunday night, Donald Steven Carr, 47, stabbed his mother 18 times with three different knives, deputies said. He also stabbed their cat, Cougar. Squier survived. The cat didn't.

Early Monday, Carr was charged with attempted murder and animal cruelty. His mother — who suffered stab wounds on her torso, legs and hands — was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Donald Steven Carr, 47, of Tampa is also accused of animal cruelty in the cat’s death.

Source: www.tampabay.com...

reply to post by ironfalcon


well it appears he has a long history of mental illness. The real issue here is that the 'carer' was not given support. A person who is a risk to themselves or anyone else needs to be institutionalized.

This is what happens when the system fails the patient and the carer.

Looks like Mr. Carr was going lunatic over his deprivation of his psychiatric meds.

People of this type can turn into dangerous zombies and lash out at anyone, even a defenseless cat.

It doesn't say in the article that he was deprived of his medication. The U.S. healthcare system doesn't make it easy for people with serious mental conditions to get the help they require whether it be institutionalized care or even respite care for people with other kinds of...mental challenges.

The system would rather try to drug them and put them back out on the streets than provide the full time care they need.

Originally posted by Zoodie
It doesn't say in the article that he was deprived of his medication. The U.S. healthcare system doesn't make it easy for people with serious mental conditions to get the help they require whether it be institutionalized care or even respite care for people with other kinds of...mental challenges.

The system would rather try to drug them and put them back out on the streets than provide the full time care they need.

He was deprived of his medication by his mother, Louise Squier, who hid them under her mattress so her son would not OD on them.

She kept his psychiatric medications under her mattress so he wouldn't overdose. She called 911 when he became uncontrollable. Once, when he refused to eat for days, she asked Hillsborough deputies to detain him under the Baker Act.

Carr suffered from manic depression but would often change out his medication with Tic Tacs, Alaimo said.

I still don't see where it says he was "deprived of his medication by his mother." Keeping them so he wouldn't over dose on them does not imply she's not doling them out to him in the prescribed doses.

Originally posted by Zoodie

I still don't see where it says he was "deprived of his medication by his mother." Keeping them so he wouldn't over dose on them does not imply she's not doling them out to him in the prescribed doses.

Although it does not mention deprivation of his medication specifically, it surely aggravated his manic condition. Deviation from the prescribed doses can have adverse effects.