Florida officials said on Tuesday that they want to execute a woman accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter in 2022.
Joanne Zephir, 38, allegedly made her 8-year-old and 3-year-old daughters drink bleach outside a church in Poinciana. She then choked the youngest child to death and attempted to end her own life, according to WKMG.
Authorities were already searching for Zephir as she reportedly stabbed her husband earlier that day. Zephir had informed her family that she wanted to spend time with her children before surrendering, as per WKMG.
Zephir’s 8-year-old daughter and husband were hospitalized for their injuries and survived.
“Based on the details of this crime and the Defendant's previous record, there are enough aggravating circumstances to warrant the death penalty in this case,” prosecutors stated in Tuesday’s filing.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Zephir — who claimed a “voodoo” spell compelled her to harm her daughters — was declared competent to stand trial late last year.
Zephir’s trial is set to start in July.
[Feature Photo: Joanne Zephir/Osceola County Sheriff’s Office]