Three children are dead and two others seriously injured after a young mother allegedly stabbed them Friday in a home in Italy, Texas. Shamaiya Deyonshana Hall, 25, reportedly attacked her children during an unexpected visit from Texas Child Protective Services.
CPS had placed the children under the care of a relative, but investigators did not disclose the family member's relationship to the children, WFAA reported. The deceased children include a 6-year-old boy and 5-year-old boy-girl twins. EMS took a 4-year-old boy and a 13-month-old girl to nearby hospitals for treatment of stab wounds. Their small Texas community is trying to understand how the tragedy occurred.
CPS showed up unannounced.
A CPS caseworker reportedly showed up for a surprise visit at the home where the children were staying, according to WFAA. The agency suspected that Hall was having unsupervised visits with her children. During that visit, the caseworker decided to remove the children from the home.
The reason why is still under investigation, but at some point, the caseworker contacted the Italy Police Department for help. The department quickly dispatched an officer to the scene. In the few minutes between the call and the officer's arrival — between 4 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. — Hall allegedly attacked the children.
"We are shocked by this incomprehensible tragedy, and already working with law enforcement to investigate how this happened, and why," the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said via a statement, according to ABC News.
Hall has a history of violent behavior.
Waxahachie Daily Light reported on Hall's sordid criminal past. Hall and her twin sister, Troyshaye Hall, were arrested in May 2017 after allegedly attacking Troyshaye Hall's boyfriend. The pair were charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after Shamaiya Hall reportedly sprayed the man with pepper spray and Troyshaye Hall threatened him with a knife, according to court records.
Hall's sister allegedly stabbed her young daughter to death less than two years ago.
In 2021, Troyshaye Hall reportedly stabbed her brother's friend, according to court documents obtained by Waxahachie Daily Light. The brother and friend went to get Troyshaye Hall's mother to tell her about the stabbing, and when they returned to the living room, they allegedly found Troyshaye Hall stabbing her 7-year-old daughter.
The girl died of her injuries. Her mother was arrested and charged with capital murder and aggravated assault but was found incompetent to stand trial and is in a mental health facility, the news outlet reported.
The children were students in the Italy Independent School District.
The school district released a statement regarding the killings on Facebook Friday evening, just hours after it happened. It sent condolences to the family and announced its plan to have counselors available Saturday morning at Stafford Elementary school.
"Italy ISD is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred off-campus this evening. Words cannot express the overwhelming grief felt by the district and the community hearing of such a tragedy," the statement reads.
On Sunday, the school released a second statement saying that trained staff would be on site Monday as students returned to school, and officials asked that visitors refrain from coming to district campuses.
The family released a statement regarding its most recent devastation.
Rayla Dean Morrison, a relative of Shamaiya Hall's, posted a statement from the family on Facebook asking for prayers and privacy during this tough time.
"Our family has experienced tragedies here in Italy Texas and we are hurting. There is nothing that can be done to undo what has transpired and only God can bring us through this," the post reads. "We are asking that out of respect for our family that instead of making negative connotations that are not uplifting. Please pray for us.
"This could have happened to any family but it happened to ours. If you love us please fast and intercede for us," she wrote.
Followers sent messages of love and support.
"Friend….I believe all has been touched by this tragedy. Although we can not image the direct family grief. Prayers sincerely being sent up for you all," a friend wrote.
"Praying and fasting for your family and whole entire Italy," another comment reads.
Hall is in the Wayne McCollum Detention Center, charged with three counts of capital murder, according to WFAA. A judge issued $2 million bond for each charge, totaling $6 million.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
