MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Shelby County mother made her first appearance in court this morning after deputies say she stabbed her four young children to death.
Shanynthia Gardner, 29, was arraigned on several charges, including first degree murder and aggravated child abuse.
Deputies say Gardner stabbed the children inside an apartment at the Greens at Irene Friday afternoon.
The children were all under the age of five, with the youngest being only five-months old.
Gardner’s 7-year-old son was the only child who wasn’t attacked.
The boy’s grandmother says the family has not been able to see him, but they hope to soon.
Sonya Clayton said her son hopes to get custody of the child he fathered with Gardner.
Attorney Craig Morton has been hired to represent Gardner.
According to the Associated Press, Gardner was taken to the Memphis Mental Health Institute after she appeared before a judge in the video hearing.
The institute is a state psychiatric hospital where most patients have severe persistent mental illness and are hospitalized on an emergency, involuntary basis.
Gardner is being held with a bond.
