SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Bullitt County woman charged with murdering her two young sons in a bedroom of their home last week appeared in court Tuesday.Â
Tiffanie Lucas walked into the Bullitt County courthouse in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit for the hearing.Â
Lucas is charged with two counts of murder after police said a neighbor found her two sons — 6-year-old Maurice Baker Jr. and 9-year-old Jayden Howard — shot inside Lucas' home on Bentwood Drive in Bullitt County last week.
Both boys were rushed with a police escort to Norton Children's Hospital in downtown Louisville, where they died from their injuries.
During Tuesday's hearing, Bullitt County Detective Richard Beahl shared details from his interview with Lucas after she was taken to the sheriff's office last week. He said Lucas was in the interview room for three hours.
We’re in Bullitt County this morning. Tiffanie Lucas is charged with two counts of murder and appeared in court today around 10:55 a.m. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/saeeR5EE5l
— Darby Beane (@DarbyBeane) November 14, 2023
"I asked Ms. Lucas if she meant to hurt her children," Beahl said on the stand. "She indicated that it was an accident."
When Lucas was asked if someone had provided her with a gun, she said "yes," Beahl testified. And she told Beahl during that interview that she and the children were the only people in the house that day.Â
Beahl also testified that Lucas said things like, "I'm so stupid" and "I'm in such a bad spot" and "I would never do anything like this unless someone manipulated me."
According to Beahl, Lucas "made statements that she was being manipulated through Facebook, through the internet or through Wi-Fi — through Facebook and through her Wi-Fi — being manipulated into doing what she did."
Lucas did not speak during the hearing. Her attorneys declined to comment to media.Â
"She showed no emotion," said Michelle Rice, who identified herself as the stepmother of Maurice Baker Jr. "She shows no emotion."
Rice said she was there because "I really wanted to support the boys, support Maurice Baker Jr. They didn't deserve this. They were so happy."Â Â
Rice said family members had contacted Child Protective Services in the past.
"We tried to help those boys," she said. "We've reached out to CPS and they never helped us. They never helped those boys."
The Bullitt County woman charged with murdering her two young sons in a bedroom of their home last week appeared in court Tuesday.
Rice said Lucas was on drugs.Â
"It's not a mental illness thing," Rice said. "She was on drugs. It's drugs. So many other people really love them and could've been there to help them. But she wouldn't allow that. She was too selfish. And now, they're gone."
Rice said Maurice was in kindergarten and "loved playing soccer, loved playing video games."
She also said he loved animals and had multiple pets.
"He was such a good little boy. Both of them were," she said.
Rice said her family had a relationship with Maurice's brother, Jayden, even though the boys had different fathers.
"They should both be here today — in school. Going to school, learning, playing sports," she said.
Rice rejects Lucas' claim of manipulation.Â
"Nobody can manipulate you to do such a horrific thing," Rice said. "Nobody can manipulate you to do that. That's yourself."
Rice said she and her family plan to attend every court appearance until the case is closed. She said funeral arrangements have not been made yet.
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