In a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events, a Florida mother, Esther Thelus, has been charged with murder and attempted murder after allegedly setting herself and her two young children on fire. The incident, which occurred in Orlando, has left the community reeling and authorities searching for answers.

A Devastating Act of Desperation

The Tragic Incident

On August 26th, deputies responded to a fire at a home in the 7000 block of Hiawassee Oaks Drive in Orlando. There, they found 26-year-old Esther Thelus, her 8-month-old son Davinci Joseph, and a 2-year-old boy, all with severe burns. Thelus had burns covering over half her body, while Davinci suffered burns on 80 to 90% of his body. The 2-year-old sustained minor burns. Paramedics rushed all three to the hospital, where they had to resuscitate the baby during the journey. Tragically, Davinci Joseph succumbed to his injuries on October 25th, two months after the incident.

The Chilling Prelude

Detectives uncovered that just moments before the tragedy, Thelus had purchased a lighter, gas can, and gasoline from a nearby 7-Eleven gas station. Earlier that day, she had dropped off the 2-year-old with a man she claimed was the child's father, telling him she and Davinci were moving to Fort Lauderdale and no longer wanted to care for the older child due to feelings of "humiliation." However, the alleged father refused to take the child until a DNA test proved his paternity.

The Horrific Aftermath

After returning from the gas station, Thelus gathered the two children and went outside, where her roommate's daughter witnessed the unthinkable. "She's killing the kids! They are all on fire!" the daughter reportedly exclaimed. Neighbors rushed to the scene, using towels to try and extinguish the flames. When questioned, Thelus allegedly stated, "It's too much humiliation."

The Lasting Impact

The gas station clerk who sold Thelus the gas can and gasoline expressed deep remorse, saying, "I kind of have PTSD because I feel bad, and it happened in my store. Everything was provided from my store." Thelus is currently scheduled for a court hearing on November 12th, facing the consequences of her actions.

The Unanswered Questions

As the investigation continues, authorities and the community are left grappling with the profound tragedy and the underlying factors that may have led to this devastating act. The loss of young Davinci Joseph and the trauma experienced by the surviving 2-year-old have left an indelible mark, raising questions about mental health, support systems, and the complex challenges faced by mothers in distress.