A North Carolina judge set a Lakeland mother's bond at $5 million dollars for plotting to have her children murder her former in-laws.
Leticia Silva, 31, is accused of mailing her 7 and 9-year-old daughters a knife. Pitt County Sheriff's officials said she asked the girls to use the weapon to kill their paternal grandparents.
"It's hard to say what a child's going to do," said Pitt County Sheriff's Det. Charles Mitchell. "The grandparents have told me that they have spoken to the children and neither one of them would carry it out."
Silva lost custody of her daughters when she was arrested in Florida for possession of methamphetamines and sentenced to prison. Her children were sent to live with their grandparents in Greenville, NC.
"Her one goal in life was to get them back," said Silva's friend Mary Snell.
Snell said Silva worked hard to turn her life around and try to regain custody of her children. Her North Carolina in-laws asked to relinquish all parental rights, according to Snell.
"I think they set her up big time," said Snell. "She's not capable of doing something like that."
Detectives said they have evidence to prove Silva set up a plot to kill the couple, which involved her young daughters.
"The grandmother actually located a knife in one of the children's bedrooms, underneath the pillow," said Det. Mitchell.
Authorities in North Carolina said Silva turned herself into the Pitt County Sheriff's Office Monday. She is charged with four counts of first degree solicitation to commit murder.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:20:38 GMT
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday. Investigators said the
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:46:51 GMT
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:09:00 GMT
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:17:54 GMT
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:24 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:24:36 GMT
Ambulances and helicopters took at least 30 people from a burning chemical plant after an explosion Thursday in Louisiana, officials said. Early tests did not indicate dangerous levels of any chemicals
Ambulances and helicopters took at least 30 people from a burning chemical plant after an explosion Thursday in Louisiana, officials said. Early tests did not indicate dangerous levels of any chemicals
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:19:20 GMT
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
