Goodwin: 'I Did What I Had To Do To Protect My Children'
Tanicia Goodwin, 25, was arraigned this morning in Salem District Court.
Tanicia Goodwin, 25, allegedly slit the throats of her two children, lit their apartment on fire and tried to prevent her son from leaving, before turning herself into Salem Police.
Goodwin, who pleaded not guilty, is being held without bail. She will be back in court on Monday, March 26 for a dangerousness hearing. Goodwin asked for a court appointed attorney.
According to the Commonwealth's Assistant District Attorney Melissa A. Woodard, the Salem Fire Department responded to the fire in unit 714B around 9:15 p.m.
Goodwin had fled to a neighbor with her 3-year-old girl who had a slit going across her throat from side to side, according to prosecutors. She left her daughter before leaving the building.
The Fire Department entered the apartment Goodwin resided in and found the internal doorknob had been removed as to prevent someone from exiting. Tape and rags were covering the sprinklers and the smoke alarms had been tampered with to prevent them from going off, Woodard said.
According to the prosecutor, police found containers of lighter fluid, matches and a lighter in the apartment as well as a large kitchen knife.
A Salem firefighter found the 8-year-old boy on a couch down a hallway in another room of the apartment with a "deep laceration" from side to side across his neck with his trachea visible, Woodard detailed as the court room gasped in horror. Woodard said the boy was able to open his eyes but not speak.
When firefighters and emergency personnel asked the boy if his mother did this to him, he nodded yes.
Police said lighter fluid was found on a window shade in the bedroom of the children and on the rug.
After the incident, Goodwin entered the Salem Police station, smashed a glass display case in the lobby, and said she "did what she had to do to protect my children."
According to police, Goodwin smelled of lighter fluid, had red liquid on her clothing and ash on her hands. Police said she had a "superficial" cut on her neck as well.
"I'm sorry, I had to protect my babies," she told police.
According to prosecutors, the children had to be wiped of lighter fluid before hospital personnel could treat them. The 8-year-old was medflighted to Children's Hospital Boston. The 3-year-old was brought to Children's Hospital by ambulance.
According to police, Goodwin said no husband or boyfriend hurt her children and asked how her children were doing.
The 8-year-old boy is listed in critical condition after surgery. The 3-year-old underwent surgery this morning.
A spokesperson at Children's Hospital Boston said they will not be releasing the condition of the children.
The penalty for armed assault with intent to murder is a state prison sentence of not more than 20 years. The charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and arson both carry a penalty of not more than 2.5 years in the house of correction or a state prison sentence of not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.
In This article
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City of Salem Police Department
95 Margin St, Salem, MA -
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City of Salem Fire Department
48 Lafayette St, Salem, MA
Jared Robinson
11:43 am on Monday, March 19, 2012
this is one of the most disturbing things I've ever read...
Gail Smith
3:18 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
And they need to have a dangerousness hearing- really- just ask the children---SHE'S DANGEROUS!!! Put her away
CUSACITIZEN
3:59 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
You do not read the news very often do you? This is just our daily dose of decadence. We are so far gone, I think we last the point of no return. Good bye USA.....
KATHLEEN WINTERS
6:24 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
WAKE UP THIS COUNTRY IS TOO BIG OUR POLICY OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS BECOMING MOOT. HOW DID WE BECOME SO UNFEELING AND ALLOWING OUR CHILDREN NO VOICE IN THE COURT SYSTEM.THEY HURT WHETHER YOU LIKE KIDS OR NOT YOU HAVE TO FEEL THEIR PAIN AND CONFUSION FROM THE PARENTS THEY LOVE.
Marisol
7:38 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
That means that you haven't been reading much lately.
samantha
12:03 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I hope they prosecute her to the fullest. She doesn't even deserve to have children.
Maureen Payne
12:24 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I can't even understand how any parent could do anything to hurt a child, especially thier own child.....People that do this kind of thing should never be allowed to have children again.
Thomas J Burke
4:48 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Can't you understand that she is mentally ill?
JD
7:28 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Or be around any children...
christine
12:31 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Now its up to the criminal system to protect those children.
Jay White
1:50 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Why has there been such an escalation of violence against children; of teachers assaulting students? Has our world gone that mad? It is sick....
WitchCityGirl
12:58 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I am sick over this. I cannot imagine the terror those poor children felt. I wish our justice system allowed for equal punishment when someone does something so awful. No matter what happens, this woman will never have the life sentence her children have been given, should they survive this horrible ordeal. I pray they do and that they get the support and help they will so desperately need.
Jose
1:52 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
i;m with you , i feel their pain...
GeorgiaGuy
1:25 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Once again, let the punishment fit the crime. I truly believe that this woman should have her throat slit from side to side and then made to stay in a burning building, but saved at the last minute. This approach might stop the flood of "parents" who abuse their children.
Rebecca DeVries
1:33 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
What a monster. Another sad day for Salem.
Shannon E. Brown
1:45 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Does this woman have a metal illness? Step up if you feel sorry for the children. Give them a caring home with love & displine. Anyone...?
Thomas J Burke
4:51 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
That is right. Se is mentally ill. Reagan should never have closed the Danvers state holpital.
Bill
5:17 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
wow, have heard someone blame Reagan for anything in years. I thought it was Bush's fault.
Jose
2:02 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I ' m sure she is a school drop out ..got pregnant and can't get a job--or--support Her kids...i also bet that she been on welfare all her life....in today world you need to learn a good trade if you decide not to go to college...In to days world if you do not have a college degree---- a trade ? you are doomed...The old days of getting a great paying job without an education is gone.....Go to college--or- go to a trade school...if you don't ? you will not make it in to days world..
Marisol
7:42 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Speak for your mother only Jose. You don't know what kind of education this has. She is obviously mentally ill. As for welfare, you seem to know a little something about it. Are you looking forward to the first of April?
Denise
10:02 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Where do you come up with Reagan or Bush . Danvers State was closed by Gov. Dukakis and all those poor soles where left to fend for themselves. Sure, this woman was mentally Ill, did anyone notice before she commited this horrible act.
joan swindels
2:08 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
it seems to me and thousands of others that we do have multiple places to take the kids, no questions asked rather than kill your own children, this is madness and is happening way too much these days....
Mirae Grant
2:36 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I am a foster mother and have adopted two of my foster children. The parents won't give up the kids. In my experience, many of the "parents" feel that they own the kids, that they would rather see the kids dead than with anyone else. Children have no rights. That is the bottom line.
WILLIAM NIVER
2:12 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
She should share a cell with Michael Vick for the next 30 or 40 years.
Marisol
7:44 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
So are you equating these children's lives that of an animal? If so, you are sicker than the mother
LAYCE
2:28 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
The real problem here is still unidentified. People all over the country are loosing it.
Kidnappings, Killings, Abuse, Robberies, Abuse by Authories, Over zealousness, Extremtist, Mob Mentalities. This is so contrary to how humans should be. It isn't just the act of this one woman. Wake UP! Are we under attack? What is causing the madness, anger, aniexty, and FEAR? We do know that the gov'ts practice genocides. Are UFO's responsible for mind control? Or is God trying to wake us up? Until we can answer these questions THE ONLY WAY OUR HUMANITY SURPASSES THESE TIMES OF CHAOSAND CONFLICTS IS TO BECOME CONSCIOUS OF OUR OWN SOULS EVOLUTION. I, myself and my dogs are no longer amoung you, and have reclused on a mountain. I see much clearer how people are. Unconscious, Oblivious, rude people. I do find few people who are watching as I am. Peace is within YOU. Find it and you will survive. Seperate yourselves from Sodom and Gormorrah. Choose your friends wisely. Prepare yourselves for the ultimate chaos. May God have MERCY.
Danielle Sanders
2:48 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Amen! to your views Layce
Gale
3:46 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
These are the necessary chain of events leading up to Christs return. It will get worse. Much worse I'm afraid. But, those of us who know where to look and read, already know what to expect. All that is happening now has already been predicted. We must remain strong in the Lord and not let wordly things influence. Satan is running about as a ravening lion seeking whom he might destroy. He knows his time is short and he is determined to take as many with him to the pit that he can.
Erin
9:22 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
You've reclused to a mountain...one with wifi, I guess?
Lyndsey mewa
2:42 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Omg...I was in tears when I read this. I hope the kids Will be okay. She doesn't deserve to see the light of day ever again. How can anyone do this to their own children?!?!
: (
howard
3:15 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
protect them from what
Sheri
3:16 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
These are the types of women the Republicans want to force to keep having babies. I wonder if they have a clue what nightmares they would be creating for these beautiful little babies. Mothers just like this one!
Dave Sendlak
3:42 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
That is an assinine statement by Sheri, before anyone chooses politics they are first human beings. it is typical of a left leaning person to take a tradgey and exploit those children. God be with those children and with people who use tradgey to promote an agenda
Matt
3:54 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Or maybe she wouldn't have had kids at all if she didn't know the state/federal govt would take care of them with welfare benefits. See what I just did there Sheri you moonbat? Don't politicize a terrible tragedy
Bill
5:19 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Good grief, you people have been brainwashed by the liberal media. I am guessing no one "forced" her to have babies. She is clearly mentally ill and needs help.
Gary Destro
3:34 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
You know, I consider myself pretty jaded to the weirdness I read on here but when I read this all I could think was 'No More! No More! How much more of this can go on? And it does go on . . .on and on and on! Will we ever be able to see the monsters before they strike? I mean the sociopaths and psychopaths, the left hand paths and so on and so on. I'm Okay, I'm not having a breakdown or anything, but . . . can't we save anybody?
Maggi Smith-Dalton
3:48 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Heart. Broken.
Sherylynne
4:50 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
A "Casey Anthony" jury will get her off. A "family judge" (what a joke they are!) will return the children to the mother. And, she will be successful the next time. The jury will go on with their lives, the judge will continue to receive his six-figure salary and children will pay the ultimate price for their bad judgment. Children have no voice and this mother tried to ensure that fact.
john
5:20 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
If the family can't take these poor children (if they survive) then maybe the worst oucome is the best outcome. No mention of a father ,a mother that will never see them again and a state system that has a very poor record. Harsh view? Yes I agree it is. Children cannot survive the emotional impact of such an event without long term professional support and I don't see where that will come from in this case. The focus needs to be 100% on the children. The mother will never be part of their lives again.
Gail Smith
5:45 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
she does not need a DANGEROUSNESS HEARING-Just ask her children! I can;t even imagine what they were thinking and feeling , when the one person they should be able to count on to keep them safe is doing this to them. I hope they both make a full recovery and SHE IS NEVER ALLOWED NEAR THEM AGAIN.
LolaM9259
6:08 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I just hope she never gets the kids back. Anyone mentally ill or not that could do this to kids should never be around children. And as far as I am concerned people with mental illness are not cured ever. Some just learn to live with it. How do I know? Cause it runs in my family.
LolaM9259
6:12 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
This woman should never be around children ever again. Maybe even not the public. Mental illness or not. Mental illness is not curable. Some learn to leave with it. How do I know it runs in my family.
Gail Smith
6:16 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
LOLAM92589-Agree 100%
Erin Cyr
6:24 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
These poor children, I know it's hard to be a parent but there is so much help available before it gets to this point. It's events like this that make me hope that more people will speak up when there's clearly something wrong. These children can't speak up for themselves, but there must have been someone in their lives who thought there wasn't something right about their mother. I am sending love and light to these little kids.
Joan Jetson
6:31 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I am so sick of hearing about people getting away with bad acts because they are purportedly mentally ill. As far as I am concerned it is just an excuse for bad behavior. Let this evil woman suffer the same way she made her kids suffer and we will see how mentally ill she is.
Gail Smith
6:40 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
I agree- insanity plea is a little overused. she did a horrific thing to her children. She needs to pay-she truly does not need a DANGEROUSNESS HEARING. Anyone hearing or readiing about this know SHE'S DANGEROUS!! POOR KIDS
get the abusers
11:38 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Child ABUSE sometimes start very hidden and subtle ,you may think that its no real bad thing ,but it STARTS SMALL , WITH TONE OF VOICE ,ANGER AND HATE IN THEIR WORDS AND BLAMING THE CHILD FOR THE MARRIAGE PROBLEMS ,WATCH OUT ,IT WILL PROGRESS as long as they get away with the smallest abuse . Verbal, mental or physical signs are there if you watch and listen. Even when someone is distant emotionaly from a child ,is cold , unintrested , they will FAKE KINDNESS OFF AND ON,, being the opposite to keep you unaware of abuse .They will say they are sorry ,they lost it and hope you will believe it wont happen again , BUT IT WILL ,as soon as anything or anybody , they can use as a excuse for what they say or do. NEVER stay in hope for a change and never for the children being without a parent , THEY WILL SUFFER MORE living in abuse of any kind.Our justice system has no justice for the children . CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND POLICE LETS TOO MANY CASES GO , BECAUSE THEY DONT SEE BLOOD AFTER A CONCERN PERSON REPORTS VERY STRONG ACTIONS AND WORDS OF THREATS THEY HAVE WITTNESS. Then its a matter of time BUT THEN ITS TO LATE .
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm#types
Thomas J Burke
9:04 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
This is not what is called normal child abuse. This is insanity. It may be the result of people over reacting and calling everything child abuse. As it used to be spare the rod and spoil the child. This mother is an example of what you get when you spare the rod.