Florida woman who claimed COVID-19 made her kill 15-month-old daughter found not guilty

A Florida woman, Precious Bland, recently made headlines after being acquitted of all criminal charges in a shocking case involving the death of her toddler and the stabbing of two other relatives. The incident, which occurred in August 2021, saw Bland admitting to drowning her 15-month-old daughter in a bathtub and then attacking her husband and teenage daughter.

During the two-day bench trial in Miami-Dade County, Bland’s defense lawyers argued that she was suffering from a psychotic break triggered by COVID-19 at the time of the incident. According to reports, Bland was experiencing command hallucinations, with voices in her head telling her to baptize her infected relatives as a means of protection from the virus.

In a tragic turn of events, Bland allegedly held her baby underwater until she became unresponsive. When her husband and daughter tried to intervene, she stabbed them as they attempted to flee from her knife-wielding rampage. Despite these horrific actions, Judge Miguel de la O declared Bland not guilty by reason of insanity on one count of aggravated manslaughter and two counts of first-degree attempted murder.

Following the ruling, Bland burst into tears in the courtroom but later expressed her gratitude and love for her children outside the courthouse. “God is good. This doesn’t bring back my daughter,” she said. “I’m thankful. I love my children.”

The case of Precious Bland serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that mental health issues can have on individuals and their families. Despite the tragic outcome of this incident, it is crucial to recognize the importance of providing support and resources for those struggling with mental health challenges.