Roshawn Gatlin: A Florida Mom’s Insane Child Attack – True Crime

The police picked up a 27-year-old mother, Roshawn Gatlin, from Lake Park, Florida after her daughter’s violent true crime attack at their home on April 21 this year. Read on to find out more the horrific event that was captured on camera.

The Details From 6 Months Ago

Six months ago, Law&Crime Network shared the details of the terrible attack on YouTube. Allegedly, it was the dad of their three-year-old daughter who called the cops. Authorities explained that Roshawn Gatlin used a kitchen knife to inflict more than 20 stabs on her daughter.

Camera footage placed the mom squarely in the hot seat. In addition, it clearly showed that the stabbing took place in the hallway. Naturally, EMTs and cops responded to the 911 call, and the little girl was rushed to the hospital. There, it took time, but she managed to recover from her injuries.

Legal Proceedings And Mental Health Focus

Gatlin is presently in jail without bail and has been prohibited from contacting witnesses and minors. Officials affirm that she confessed to the stabbing but didn’t give a reason for her actions.

Currently, she is charged with attempted first degree murder, which brings imprisonment for life as a possible penalty. The district attorney’s office might also file additional crimes including battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated child abuse, per NBC Miami. 

While she admitted that she attacked her daughter with a knife, she isn’t saying why she did it. While she’s been charged, the inquiry into the matter revolves mostly around her state of mind. The silence on the part of Roshawn Gatlin regarding the motive suggests that she might plead insanity or diminished capacity as a defense.

Probably Not Going To Prison?

Obviously, any psychological assessments will have an important role in determining if she was able to understand her actions and intended to commit murder. No doubt, if she’s not able to participate in the trial, she probably goes into some sort of psychiatric care as ordered by the court.

As of now, court documents reveal that Gatlin had a documented background of mental health challenges. They included a prior instance where she was involuntarily hospitalized in December 2024. At the time, she was reportedly prescribed medication for schizophrenia.

True Crime Fans React

When the charges were revealed, on Friday, Criminal Library shared the news on Instagram. There, many people had a lot to say about the terrifying attack. One person opined that it must involve something “demonic.”

Meanwhile, other fans seemed shocked but thrilled that the little girl survived. However, she probably struggles with trauma after the attack.

What are your thoughts? Are you surprised that it seems unlikely that Roshawn Gatlin will serve time in an ordinary prison? Do you think the system failed the child after the first diagnosis? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for all our true crime news and updates.