Report Reveals Horrific Details About Woman Accused of Killing Her 'Possessed' Children
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A woman accused of murdering her two children was suffering from delusions and exhibited a strong fixation on religious themes, according to a report from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The child mortality report released on September 2, 2026, indicated that the accused, Marlene Vidal, had a history of mental health issues. She remains in jail awaiting trial on capital murder charges. The following statements are part of the report released by the state agency. According to the document, authorities received a report on May 13, 2026, from family members expressing concern for the accused's mental state. The report noted that the woman had experienced a psychotic episode in June 2025. In the weeks leading up to the incident, the accused claimed her children were possessed, that people were following her, and that someone was trying to poison her and the minors. Relatives also reported that the woman abruptly left a gathering with her children because she believed they were being pursued. On the day of the report, family members requested a welfare check after the accused left a relative's home with the minors. During a phone call, the woman shouted that the children were possessed and that if anyone was going to harm them, it would be her. The report also indicated that the accused had been hospitalized for mental health issues in 2025 after driving erratically with the minors in the vehicle. After receiving treatment, she was advised to continue therapy and other mental health services, but she did not complete those programs. Two days after the report, DFPS received information that the two minors had been found dead inside a burned vehicle in San Antonio. The investigation determined that both died while in their mother's care. The medical examiner identified multiple stab wounds. Additionally, the report states that the accused told authorities, 'I caused this.' According to the report, an aunt recounted that the woman regularly performed rituals around the children because she believed they were possessed. The investigation concluded that the accused committed physical abuse against both minors, which led to their deaths. The document also reveals that during an investigation in 2025, authorities observed unusual behaviors in the accused. According to DFPS, the woman exhibited delusions, disorganized thoughts, and an intense fixation on religious themes. In that investigation, the agency confirmed an allegation of negligent supervision. However, no evidence was found to support claims of sexual abuse against the father or physical neglect towards the minors. The case originated on May 15, 2026, when a fire was reported between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. in the parking lot of a warehouse located at 512 Richland Hills Drive in San Antonio. Police information indicated that the victims were two children, later identified as a seven-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy with autism. Police reported that the mother was at the scene during the investigation and allegedly told authorities, 'I am the one you are looking for.' She was subsequently arrested and taken in for questioning. According to authorities, a man walking his dog saw the burning vehicle, while another woman claimed to have called 911 to report the fire. After extinguishing the flames, firefighters found the severely charred bodies of the minors inside the vehicle.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
