SHELBYVILLE, TENNESSEE: A Tennessee mother named Patricia Sylvester who strangled her son, Esteban Sylvester, 12, and admitted trying to do the same to her four-year-old son has been charged following her arrest. According to Shelbyville Police, Esteban’s father discovered him unresponsive around 10 pm Monday, July 17, at their residence on Barksdale Lane.
The Shelbyville Times Gazette reported that resuscitation efforts were attempted on the young child by Bedford County EMS and Shelbyville Fire Rescue but unfortunately, he was declared dead at Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital.
Who is Patricia Sylvester?
Patricia Sylvester, 32, and her four-year-old son Rafael Sylvester were found missing when Esteban’s father discovered him unconscious on July 17. NBC15 reported that the woman and her youngest son became the center of focus for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation which issued an Endangered Child Alert for Rafael on Tuesday morning. Shortly after that alert was issued, Patricia returned to her home and then was brought to SPD headquarters for interrogation.
Who is Patricia Sylvester?
Patricia Sylvester admitted to the killing of Esteban and attempted murder of Rafael, Deputy Chief Bryan Crews claimed. Patricia was taken into custody and charged with Criminal Homicide and Attempted Criminal Homicide according to the outlet and KEYE. Her bond will be set at $2 million upon release from a local hospital after mental evaluation, reported the Shelbyville Times Gazette.
Esteban’s grandmother is devastated by the incident
Patricia’s mother and Esteban’s grandmother, Joyce Sylvester, told NC5 that she was devastated by the news. “She was a loving daughter, and I'm so shocked about this situation," she revealed. Former Bedford County Schools teacher, Heidi Mann, told WSMV4 she had the pleasure of teaching Esteban for a couple of years. “Those two years were spent with many memories of laughter and happiness. Esteban was a light in our classroom,” she told the outlet. “I wish we could go back in time to see him playing basketball at recess and always getting a goodbye hug every day.”
The outlet also reported that a team of counselors and social workers will be provided by Bedford County Schools for students and staff returning to Harris Middle School and to Learning Way Elementary on August 1. "There will be questions for days, weeks, and months about why this happened," Crews said to NC5. It is not yet revealed if Patricia has retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.
