ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Gray News) – A mother in Florida was charged with first degree murder in the death of her 4-year-old son, officials with the St. Petersburg Police Department said Wednesday.
Police said the boy’s 16-year-old sister found her mother holding her brother in bed when she got home from school around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“There was blood at the scene and throughout the house,” police said on Facebook.
Diana Elizabeth Cullom, 43, was taken to the hospital for treatment of multiple cuts and has since been released.
Diana Elizabeth Cullom is charged with first degree murder in the death of her son.(St. Petersburg Police Department)
Police initially thought the 4-year-old had been stabbed, but the medical examiner determined there were no stab wounds on the child.
According to the medical examiner, the boy was suffocated. Police said Diana Cullom had self-inflicted stab wounds.
She was charged with murder in the death of her son.
Police said the 16-year-old found a note in the house, which they believe was written by the mother. What the note said has not been released.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said the teen had found her brother stabbed. Police have since updated details provided.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media. All rights reserved.