A Florida woman has been formally accused of the aggravated manslaughter of her twin toddlers, following a comprehensive probe by local authorities. Shirlene N. Alcime, 43, was taken into custody after a disturbing event on Interstate 95 on February 2.
Miami-Dade police reported that they were called to the scene where Alcime allegedly leaped from the expressway wall onto the railway tracks below. Upon reaching the location, they found her twins, Milendhet and Milendhere Napoleon-Cadet, unresponsive in the backseat of a nearby car. The children, who were reportedly foaming at the mouth, were declared dead shortly thereafter.
Despite the fall, Alcime survived and was subsequently admitted to a hospital. She was later seen in a wheelchair during her court appearance on Friday. Before this incident, she was already in custody for aggravated child neglect with bodily harm, a charge to which she has pleaded not guilty.
During the investigation, Alcime reportedly denied giving her children anything that could have led to their condition. However, she admitted to being in severe financial distress and expressed concern that leaving her children with their father could result in them becoming homeless or forced to sleep in a car.
She also allegedly confessed to taking her children to McDonald’s and Chuck E. Cheese on the day of the incident, wanting them to “have a good day.” Moreover, officers reported that Alcime confessed to contemplating suicide by jumping off the bridge with her children or throwing them off one by one.
While authorities initially considered pressing murder charges, they refrained from doing so immediately due to the ongoing preliminary investigation. This included pending toxicology screenings on the children. The cause of death for Milendhet and Milendhere is yet to be disclosed.