Woman Arrested for Attempted Murder

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Strasburg, Va.
Posted: 3:48 PM Apr 11, 2008
Last Updated: 3:48 PM Apr 11, 2008

22 comments

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A Strasburg woman faces attempted second degree murder for trying to drowned her five-year-old son.

Police say the boy was held under water in a bathtub until he stopped breathing.

Samantha Elizabeth Dale of the 700 block of Colley Block Road called 911 Sunday to report that her son was not breathing. When rescue squads arrived, they revived the boy and took him to Winchester Medical Center.

The boy later told a staff member that his mother held him under the water until he couldn't breathe.

Strasburg Police Chief Tim Sutherly says, "After a thorough investigation by Investigator Larry Crum, and the Strasburg Police Department and forensic personnel at the Winchester Medica Center and Social Services, it was found that physical evidence corroborated the child's claim."

The boy is now in the care of Social Services. The juvenile court system will decide where the five year old will be permanently placed.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 18, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Apparently there was enough evidence to arrest her. She should be investigated regardless of what type of sweet person she is acclaimed to be. Anyone can have a dark side-ANYONE.

Posted by: Dazed Location: NC on Jul 17, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I do truly hope that all evidence to prove guilt or innocence is brought forth. I also know that children do make up stories for whatever reason that is not true. When my nephew was almost 5 yrs old he fell off a landscaping log that he was stepping up on. When my sister asked why he was playing on it when he had been told not to he told her that I had put him on it and made him fall off. She called me laughing because I live in NC and they live in Va.

Posted by: speechless Location: broadway on Jun 26, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I really don't believe she is guilty , and hopefully it will all come out. It's a shame that we are guilty and have to go thru so much to prove our innoences, She is a very nice person and the i don't believe she would do something like that.

Posted by: Jennifer on May 18, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I know she had a bad temper, I to went to high school with her. She was rude at times, got into a fight with one of my good friends

Posted by: not on May 16, 2008 at 12:02 AM
You must have her confused with someone else cause Samantha did NOT ever have a temper!!! She is one of the sweetest girls i know and i have known her since high school as well and we have remained friends! she loves her son VERY much!!!! all you people will see in the end that this is not what happend!!

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Weyers Cave on May 12, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I also know Samantha, I went to HS together, and remember when she got preg and had her son, she loves her son so much. Will just have to see how this all plays out. I know that she had a bad temper in school but what teenager doesn't?

Posted by: concerned Location: usa- suppose to be on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:55 PM
No one has said the boy is lying, we are saying the boy was confused. They started drilling him as soon as he woke up. The so called authorities has made it so that if someone is in trouble and needed 911, I'd have to really think about it before I called, because look at what happened here. Samantha called 911, through their help SHE revived her son, not the rescue squad. But they are trying to charge her with this ridiculous crime. If it was someone they knew (the courts or social services) this would not be happening.

Posted by: as a friend of the child! Location: cville on Apr 25, 2008 at 08:12 PM
i have known the child for 3 years! He would not make something up, hes a great little boy! He always listens, is very polite. When i herd this i was shocked! But i know this kid, and he would not make something like this up!!!!!!!

Posted by: Annette Location: stanley on Apr 16, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Sam is a sweet person and for her to do this she had to Smap or got realy mad about somthing..I know her and her Family and for her son he should go to her Family she has 3 other sisters 2 has kids of there own and her Mom. I hope that they let one of them have him so he can be with Family. Sam God Be With You!!! and We hope that everything well be fine..

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 16, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Samantha is my stepsister. And I believe in my heart that she did not do this. Elijah is a wonderful, and very rumbunxious lil boy. You blink your eyes for one second, and a child can get hurt, or end up missing. It happened to me once, it doesnt mean that i tried to kill my son, or that I am a bad parent. I just took my off for him for a second. And every parent knows what I am talking about. Samantha did NOT try to kill her son. When ALL the facts come out, everyone will feel ashamed of what they have said!

Posted by: CHARLENE Location: STANLEY on Apr 16, 2008 at 03:32 PM
I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH HER AND I KNOW SHE WOULD NOT DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SHE IS A GOOD MOTHER HE COULD HAVE SLEPT INTO THE WATER ON ACCIDENT. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS CAUSE I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD AND HE LIKES TO PLAY IN THE WATER AND GO UNDER BUT HE COMES RIGHT BACK UP OUT OF IT TO. I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE.AND WHY DID SHE CALL THE SQUADE IF SHE DROWNED HIM AND I THINK SHE FOUND HIM AND THAT IS WHY SHE CALLED THE SQUADE AS I WOULD HAVE DONE. LIKE THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME I CALLED THE SQUADE WHEN I FOUND MY 3 WEEK OLD BABY DEAD IN THE CRIB. AND IT WASNT CRIB DEATH WE FOUND THAT OUT THROUGN MEDICAL SO HE COULD HAVE DONE THIS TO GET HER INTO TROUBLE AND IT DOSE HAPPEN. I WENT AND TOLD THE SCHOOL THAT MY MOM HIT ME WITH A STICK I WAS 4 YEARS OLD AND I DIDN'T MEAN TO BUT IT GOT MY MOM IN TROUBLE BUT THANK GOD EVERYTHING WAS OK I WENT BACK AND TOLD THEM THAT SHE DIDN'T.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 15, 2008 at 01:45 AM
He is 5 years old. 5 year olds make up stuff all the time. They lie to get out of trouble. They make up stories. Hes a kid that is scarred

Posted by: Travis Location: Luray on Apr 14, 2008 at 09:01 PM
I know Samanatha to and I hate to think something like that is true but come on lets face it why would the child say that unless it happen. The friends and family of Suezanne Smith didnt believe she killed her children but she did and i'm sure there are other parents who have done the same thing and those closest to them didnt believe it either but i'm afraid facts are facts. He is 5 hard to believe he would make that story up.

Posted by: Katie Location: Luray on Apr 12, 2008 at 06:01 PM
I have known Samantha since she was a child and cannot and will not believe this is true. I have seen her with her son and she is a wonderful mother.

Posted by: Kissy Location: Luray on Apr 12, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I understand what the story sounds like. Hearing it from an outsiders point of view it sounds very bad. I happen to know this woman very well and the accusations made against her are shocking. She is a loving woman and a wonderful mother to that boy. She would never harm him. He is 5 years old, scared, confused, and approched by a numerious amount of strangers when he awoke from a tragic accident. Maybe instead of judging others we can show compassion for all involved and when the truth comes out wish them all well.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Churchville on Apr 12, 2008 at 08:47 AM
I feel so sorry for having to go thru such an ordeal. That sweet little boy did not diserve this and he would not make up a story of this nature unless it was indeed true. I hope he can over-come this and be able to continue his life. God, please keep your hand upon this child as all children that have to go thry this kind of un-necessary treatment from their parents

Posted by: Tiffany Location: Broadway on Apr 11, 2008 at 09:06 PM
So say the mother didn't try and kill her son (and I hope that is the case), there is still the question, how did the boy almost drown? Was he left alone in the bath? This is a good wake up call to those parents who leave their little ones unattended in the bathtub. Be careful.

Posted by: good advice on Apr 11, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Do not be quick to believe everything reporters write. The press is known for sensationalizing events. If one knows anything about psychology, a five year olds statement after a crisis can easily be misconstrued. Also remember, in this country, we are innocent until proven guilty; not the opposite way around.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Shenandoah on Apr 11, 2008 at 06:27 PM
There are apparently several pieces of evidence that both the police and attorney Alger have reviewed to charge Samantha with attempted murder, neglect, etc. If she was such a caring mother and cared for her child more than any of us could..... then why all the charges?

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 11, 2008 at 05:47 PM
There may be physical evidence that proves she did it. Like water in his lungs, etc. Why would the boy say she did it then? We don't know the whole story, can't make assumptions until we do...

Posted by: carl Location: staunton on Apr 11, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Right and the child has a reason to lie, sure

Posted by: concerned Location: luray on Apr 11, 2008 at 04:02 PM
If any of you who are accusing her of this horrible crime know her. You would absolutely know she did not do this. She loves her little boy more than any of you could even love your children. She is a wonderful mother, provider and protector for that boy.

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