Police have arrested a Modesto mother for allegedly tying up and stabbing her 13-year-old autistic son, authorities said Monday.
Anitra Hankins was booked into Stanislaus County Jail on attempted homicide and torture charges early Monday, according to the Modest Police Department. She was being held on $500,000 bail.
The boy was hospitalized in critical condition at Doctors Medical Center of Modesto and underwent surgery Sunday night. Sgt. Tim Helton said the prognosis is grim.
Hankins called 911 about 6 p.m. Sunday to report that her son was hurt but refused to provide details, Helton said.
When officers went into the woman's home at the Ashwood Village Apartments, they found the boy lying in the hallway with his feet bound, Helton said. Hankins appeared to be a state of shock and was not fully cooperating with police
Hankins' shirt was covered with blood as officers led her down the stairs from the second-story apartment, handcuffed her and put her in the back of a police car, said neighbor Gordon Jameson.
"I've talked with her," Jameson said. "She was a very nice lady. That's why I was, 'Oh, wow, what's going on?'"
The Modesto Bee reported that Hankins had served on a regional panel that works to protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
She submitted a letter of resignation in June 2004, saying she could not continue her duties because of her health and that of her special needs child.
