At 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 24th, Pennsylvania officers were called about an unconscious 44-year-old woman when they went to the home they found 13-year-old Lataya Powell, confessing to killing her mother and harming her brother after an argument, telling officers, “I’m the reason my mom is dead” she also told the criminal complaint, “I killed my mom and she’ll never forgive me if she is alive.” Her mother, identified as Tameeka Tucker, suffered from wounds to the torso and head area. Tameeka was pronounced dead at the scene while her 11-year-old son was found lying on the couch with back wounds; When Lataya saw her brother she screamed, “Oh no! Is he gonna die too? I’m sorry Junior. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” but they aren’t life-threatening and are thought to heal soon, police say.
Powell was taken into police custody where she was charged as an adult with homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence. When arriving at the home police were expecting to notice knives or cutting instruments but instead noticed padlocks on kitchen cabinets and dewars, one padlock that looked like it was on a junk dewar; was noticed lying on the floor broken but they weren’t able to find the weapon used during the attack in the home. When confronted on what happened to the weapon used during the attack she told them that she threw it onto the neighbor’s doorstep. She confessed to killing her mother saying, “I killed my mom and she’ll never forgive me if she is alive.” and “I don’t know how people can do stuff like this and not feel bad about it,” according to the on t.v. report. The neighbor who found the knife on her porch was working in her garden at the time of the attack; she had this to say, “I’m just thankful I wasn’t out here because you never know what could’ve happened, but I look at it that something good could come out of this and that she can get the help she needs,” she also added “My prayers go out to the family and I’m sorry this happened,” this was all reported by local 21 news.
While in police custody Lataya told the officers, “I don’t have my phone because my mom took it before our fight,” according to WBRE/WYOU she also said she feels “regret, guilt and self-disgust.” It’s unclear if Lataya has entered a plea or if she was able to get legal representation. When asked about her emotional state she says “regret, guilt, and self-disgust.” She tells reporters before being put into the back of the police van , Laytaya is being held in the Luzerne County Jail where she waits for her preliminary hearing on April 10. 10:30a.m.
