A Texas mother allegedly killed her own son when she reportedly ran him over with her car in what authorities describe as a game of “chicken.”
Lexus Lashell Stagg of Houston initially told the local police department that she didn’t see her son, Lord Renfro, when she was backing out on June 11 and accidentally ran him over. Renfro subsequently died from his injuries.
After the department conducted a sobriety test, the Houston PD let Stagg go, spokesperson Jodi Silva told People magazine.
Stagg’s freedom didn’t last long, however. According to witness testimony and surveillance video, Stagg, 26, was seen speeding towards her three children in the driveway in a game of chicken that went bad. Two of Stagg’s children were able to get out of the way. But Lord Renfro was not.
“She initially said, ‘I didn’t know he was there. And he just got under the wheel,’” says Silva, adding that police believe Stagg “intentionally [drove] forward with the intention … they would get out of the way.”
Stagg was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide on June 20. If she is convicted, Stagg faces up to 10 years in prison.
“Every parent has an obligation to protect their children, even from themselves,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement. “Cars aren’t toys and playing chicken with your kids isn’t a game.”
Stagg was overcome with sorrow during her court appearance, according to ABC13.
“She’s distraught,” an attorney said on her behalf, adding that her son’s funeral was scheduled for the next day.
