Mother Found Lying Next To Dead Daughter, 6, After Stabbing Her 20 Times, Police Allege

A tragic incident has unfolded in Milton, Florida, where a mother has been accused of fatally stabbing her six-year-old daughter. According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged attack occurred shortly after midnight on February 25, resulting in the tragic death of the young girl.

The suspect, 40-year-old April Oliva, was found lying next to her daughter’s body when police arrived at the scene. Emergency responders declared the child deceased due to multiple stab wounds, reportedly numbering over twenty. The nature of the injuries has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns regarding mental health and domestic violence.

According to an arrest warrant, before the incident, Oliva made a disturbing phone call to her sister, Amy Tuttle. During the call, Oliva spoke incoherently, expressing fears about “evil spirits” and suggesting that something serious had occurred. This alarming conversation prompted Tuttle to contact their father, Steven Tuttle, urging him to check on his daughter.

Upon arriving at Oliva’s residence, Steven Tuttle heard his daughter screaming from inside the house but was unable to gain entry until he found an unlocked door. Once inside, he encountered a harrowing scene: both April and her daughter, Valerie, were on the floor surrounded by blood. It is reported that Oliva repeatedly cried, “she’s dead,” when confronted by her father.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies following a report of a “cutting incident.” When they entered the home, they found April lying atop Valerie’s body. Medical examiners later confirmed that the child had sustained multiple stab wounds, some of which were to her neck. Oliva, too, displayed injuries, with authorities suggesting that these could be self-inflicted.

Valerie’s father was reportedly out of town for work when the incident occurred, leaving the two alone in the house. This added to the tragedy of the situation, as friends and family grapple with the loss of a young life and the harrowing circumstances surrounding her death.

As the investigation unfolded, it became evident that Oliva was in need of medical attention for her own injuries. She was transported to a local hospital, where she remains under care. Once released, she is expected to be booked into the Santa Rosa County jail on a charge of murder related to her daughter’s death.

In the wake of this incident, Chief Deputy Randy Tifft described the situation as deeply tragic, expressing sympathy for all those affected. The sheriff’s office issued a statement acknowledging the pain surrounding the case, calling it a “heartbreaking” event for the community.

At this time, it remains unclear whether Oliva has secured legal representation, leaving many questions about her mental state and the events leading up to this horrific incident unanswered. Community members are left in shock, grappling not only with the loss of young Valerie but also with the troubling implications of the circumstances that led to her untimely demise.

Friends and family of the victim have begun expressing their condolences, reflecting on the innocence of a young girl whose life was cut short. As the community seeks to process this tragedy, it is likely that discussions will continue regarding mental health support and awareness, particularly in light of the troubling signs that precede such violent episodes.