A quiet Florida neighborhood was shaken this week after authorities say a 6-year-old girl was fatally stabbed inside her own home — and her mother now faces a murder charge.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, 40-year-old April Oliva was taken into custody following the death of her daughter, Valerie Oliva. Investigators allege the child was attacked with a kitchen knife late Tuesday night at the family’s residence in Milton, located in the 5000 block of Nowling Drive.
A Disturbing Phone Call
The chain of events reportedly began around 11 p.m., when Oliva placed what deputies described as a troubling and incoherent phone call to her sister. During the call, she allegedly spoke about “evil spirits” and made statements suggesting something terrible had occurred.
Alarmed, her sister contacted their father, Steven Tuttle, who immediately drove to the home to check on the situation.
What he discovered was devastating.
A Horrific Scene Inside the Home
When Tuttle arrived, the front door was unlocked. Inside, he found both his daughter and granddaughter lying on the floor, covered in blood. According to the arrest report, April Oliva repeatedly told him, “She’s dead.”
Deputies responded to the home shortly after midnight. Authorities say they found Oliva lying on top of her daughter’s body.
In the dining room, investigators recovered a kitchen knife believed to have been used in the attack.
Valerie was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said the child suffered more than 20 stab wounds across her body, including several to her neck.
Self-Inflicted Injuries and Arrest
Chief Deputy Randy Tifft confirmed that Oliva also had injuries to her stomach and neck, which investigators believe were self-inflicted. She was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Once medically cleared, officials say she will be booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail to face a murder charge.
At the time of the incident, Valerie’s father was reportedly out of town on business. Authorities confirmed no one else was inside the home when the stabbing occurred.
An Ongoing Investigation
The Sheriff’s Office described the case as “deeply tragic” and emphasized that the investigation remains active. Detectives continue to process evidence and conduct interviews as they work to piece together what led to the fatal attack.
So far, officials have not released information about a possible motive.
As the community grapples with the loss of a young child, many are left asking how such violence could unfold behind the doors of an ordinary family home — and what warning signs, if any, may have preceded the tragedy.
