Mom Saiqa Akhter Called 911 After Strangling Kids
The arraignment of an Irving, Texas mother on a single charge of murder in the death of her five year-old son took place on July 21. Court officials cancelled the scheduled second hearing on the death of Saiqa Akhter's 2-year-old daughter, Faryaal, who died Tuesday evening, a day after she was revived and placed on life support.
The Dallas Morning News reports that Saiqa Akhter called 911 and told the dispatcher that she had killed her children because they were "not normal." "Both are autistic," she said. "I don't want my kids to be like that. I want normal kids." Akhter called 911 about 5:00 p.m. and admitted she had wrapped antenna wire around her children's necks until they stopped breathing. Before that, she had tried to make them drink bathroom cleaner.
Still on the line with the 911 operator, Akhter cleaned her hands to get rid of the smell of the cleaning fluid. According to a police affidavit, the Morning News reports officers arrived to find the children on a bed in the family's apartment. Nearby was an antenna wire they believe was the murder weapon.
Akhter's uncle, Wasimul Haque, said his niece was depressed. "It looks like she had mental problems," he said. "I don't understand why she did it."
Both of Akhter's children had health problems. Her son Zain was autistic and had a severe speech impediment. But the five year-old had been in speech therapy and was improving, according to Haque. Two year-old Faryaal also had health problems and was rushed to the emergency room last year with a respiratory issue.
The charge against Akhter for the death of her son is a capital murder charge.
Related Resources:
- Second choked child dies, mom suspected (AP, Chron.com)
- Texas Capital Punishment Laws (FindLaw)
- What Can We Do About Child Abuse? (Office of the Texas Attorney General)
- Murder: First Degree (FindLaw)
- Ten Ways to Help Prevent Child Abuse (PDF, Prevent Child Abuse America.org)
- Classifications of Crimes (provided by Conese Law Office)
- Criminal Defense FAQ (provided by Hindman & Associates, LLC)