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‘I did what I had to do’: Woman accused of stabbing daughter, sister in Raleigh previously investigated by DCS

Lawrencia Reed

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The woman accused of stabbing her 10-year-old daughter to death and trying to kill three other people in Raleigh appeared before a judge on Wednesday.

The court hearing was held via Facetime as family and Memphis Police say Lawrencia Reed, 29, is undergoing evaluation at a mental institution. She was charged with first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.


The judge reset Reed’s court appearance to Friday. She’s being held without bond.

According to the police report, Lawrencia Reed told police during questioning that she told her children – ages 10, 12 and three – and her sister to get into a kneeling position inside a home in the 2800 block of Coach Drive on April 30.

“My sons did,” she told police. “But my daughter and sister didn’t and they had to go. So, I did what I had to do.”

Witnesses told police they saw 10-year-old Kamari Reed, her 12-year-old brother and the aunt running from the home. The two females were covered in blood and told them Reed had stabbed them and tried to drown the two boys.

Neighbors ran to the home, kicked in the door and discovered Reed next to the tub with the three-year-old boy. Officers arrived on the scene and took the suspect into custody.

Sadly, Kamari Reed died from her injuries. Her aunt remains in critical condition at the hospital, police said in their report.

Family and neighbors told WREG the entire incident was a complete shock, but WREG has learned that the Department of Children’s Services previously investigated Reed in regards to her 10-year-old daughter within the last three years.

The agency couldn’t comment on the case itself.