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After attacking her family members and unsuspecting passers-by, a mother of three allegedly barricaded herself inside her home last week.
A 50-year-old woman drove her daughter, Monique Smith, 31, of the 1000 block of Ritner Street, and her three children — ages 4, 6 and 14 — home at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 15 after spending the night at her West Philly home. A few moments later, the 14-year-old called and asked her grandmother to return, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. She complied and saw the teen standing on the ledge outside the dwelling. Smith allegedly choked and beat the girl.
When the grandmother jumped out of the car, Smith supposedly stormed out of the house and punctured her mother’s left arm, Tolliver said. The mother ran around the block and stopped a 69-year-old neighbor, whom she asked to dial 911, but as the neighbor strolled around the corner, he was stabbed in the chest and again in the back as he tried to escape. Smith allegedly attempted to jab his 63-year-old wife, but was unsuccessful.
A 32-year-old and her fiancé were driving by and stopped to help when they saw the 50-year-old asking for assistance, but then Smith supposedly gouged the woman passenger in her left arm, breast and side of her stomach, Tolliver said.
Police responded to the scene at 9:22 a.m. after Smith barricaded herself indoors, Tolliver said. Twenty minutes later South Detectives arrived and 24 minutes after that SWAT entered the home and removed Smith and her two young sons.
The grandmother and the children were transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania while the other victims were taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital except for the 32-year-old who was taken to Methodist Hospital and transferred to Jefferson, Tolliver said.
Smith was charged with seven counts of recklessly endangering another person; five counts of aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime and simple assault; three counts of endangering the welfare of a child; two counts of criminal attempted murder, two corruption of a minor; and a count of tampering with physical evidence, retaliation against a victim/witness, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment and terroristic threats, according to court records. She was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault March 2010, but was released on her own recognizance. Three months later, she did not show for her arraignment and, according to court records, was in a mental facility. The judge lifted a stay away order July 7, 2010.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
Also in this week’s Police Report:
Saints’ coach accused of sexual misconduct
Game impact
Thrill for good cause
Police meetings 09-22-11
