Originally Posted - July 31, 2006

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CITRUS COUNTY, FLA-The mother of two disabled teenage boys, charged with trying to kill them in May after apparently becoming overwhelmed by their care, has been released on $1,000 bail after a judge decided she needed mental treatment rather than incarceration.

Kyrstal Garza, 37, was arrested in late May after police received a call from her former husband who said that Garza had allegedly threatened to kill herself and her 14-year old twin sons who have cerebral palsy. Thereafter, police received a tip about a woman and two children inside a parked car which had a garden hose running from the exhaust pipe to the car's interior.

Police said when they approached the car, she drove away. Police stopped the vehicle and found the teens inside. They were treated and released from a local hospital.

Garza will be allowed to live with her father in Citrus County. She cannot have any contact with her sons who are now residing in Texas, or her two daughters who live in Homosassa, Fla.

She has been charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder and if convicted at trial, would face a maximum of 60 years in prison.
7-31-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette