A 9-year-old Alabama girl called 911 after witnessing her father being stabbed to death by his girlfriend, whom the girl referred to as her stepmother, police said.
Taylor Rawlins, 33, was fatally stabbed in his mobile home on Aug. 22 at the Charleston Apartments on Sollie Road. His girlfriend Jennifer Heathcoe’s attorney said her client acted in self-defense.
Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood alleges Heathcoe, 31, tried to get the girl to lie during the call. Fox10 Television reported.
During the 911 call received at 7:40 p.m., the young woman told the operator: “My stepmother stabbed my dad,” before saying: “Please come quick! My dad is going to die.”
According to the transcript, the dispatcher asked where the boy’s stepmother was and if she still had the knife. The boy replied, “I don’t know. I’m in my room.”
Pictured: Jennifer Heathcoe, 31, is accused of stabbing her boyfriend Taylor Rawlins, 33.
His lawyer claims he acted in self-defense.
The prosecutor said that during the call, “what appears to be the defendant’s voice can be heard telling the girl calling to say it wasn’t her.”
Blackwood added: “And as you know, the fact that this happened in front of children is absolutely tragic.”
The transcript revealed a second call made to 911, this time by Heathcoe, who told the operator there was an emergency.
“Yeah, there was an argument and… I got you, baby. I got you, no, you don’t. Breathe for me,” she is heard saying on the call.
Heathcoe’s attorney, Leslie McEdlerry, filed a self-defense suit alleging that Rawlins was the aggressor that night.
Heathcoe’s attorney, Leslie McEdlerry, filed a self-defense suit alleging that Rawlins (pictured) was the aggressor that night.
Heathcoe remains in the Mobile Metro Jail. His next preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1.
The district attorney, however, suggested that the 911 calls could undermine his claims of self-defense.
The children were reportedly home at the time of the stabbing. Heathcoe’s attorney testified that they entered the room after hearing a commotion.
He also said a neighbor who heard the 911 call went to check on Heathcoe, a registered nurse, and saw her performing CPR on Rawlins. WKRG reported.
“This was a tumultuous and violent relationship and there was a violent incident that led to this,” McElderry said.
“This didn’t come out of nowhere. His position made him feel the need to defend himself.”
“This was a tumultuous and violent relationship and there was a violent incident that led to this,” McElderry said.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, Heathcoe pleaded not guilty.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, Heathcoe pleaded not guilty.
Her father, Daniel Cain, was present and was overwhelmed with emotion.
She told the outlet that her daughter and Rawlins had been dating for about a year and that her name was on the lease for the apartments.
Heathcoe and Rawlins dated for about a year, according to his father.
“I just hope he gets out because I don’t think he deserves this,” he said, in part. “It was self-defense.”
Heathcoe was denied bail for failing to appear on a domestic violence charge after she and Rawlins allegedly got into a fight at a bar in Daphne.
His attorney said the couple fought over car keys and said his client believed Rawlins was too drunk to drive, according to the outlet.
Heathcoe currently remains in the Mobile Metro Jail. His next preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1.
