NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The mother of a 15-year-old boy who killed himself on Halloween was arrested Thursday, Nov. 14, on 21 charges related to his death, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

MNPD reports that 34-year-old Tabitha Ward lost custody of her two sons (15-year-old and his 14-year-old brother) in May, but allegedly refused to cooperate with the Department of Child Services and told the boys to flee the state. custody.

However, Ward signed DCS documents agreeing not to house the boys, who have since been listed as runaways. MNPD said six guns were recovered from her home on Cross Timbers Drive the night of the suicide, including the one police believe was used in the suicide.

“Ward has prior felony convictions and should not be in possession of any firearms,” ​​MNPD said. “Additionally, the investigation revealed that Ward not only possessed several firearms, but that a week before her son’s suicide, she had taught the boys how to shoot guns in the woods.”

Police added that Ward’s roommate told detectives that after finding his son in his room with a gunshot wound, Ward transferred a backpack containing all six guns to the roommate’s bedroom before the arrival of the first responders. The teenager was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

Ward is charged with criminally negligent homicide, along with multiple counts of tampering with evidence, gun possession, aggravated child endangerment, custodial interference, harboring fugitives and contributing to the delinquency of minors. She remains in jail on $116,000 bond.

Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.