Anitra Hankins, Calif. Mom, Charged with Stabbing, Torturing Autistic Son

MODESTO, Calif. (CBS/KOVR/AP) A Modesto mother has been arrested on attempted murder and torture charges after she allegedly tied up and stabbed her 13-year-old autistic son multiple times.

According to Modesto police, Anitra Hankins was charged early Monday and is being held on $500,000 bail at the Stanislaus County Jail.

Modesto Police Sgt. Rick Armanderez told CBS affiliate KOVR that police arrived at the apartment just after 6 p.m. Sunday and found Miles Hankins severely wounded and lying helpless, bloodied in the hallway. He had been stabbed multiple times and his feet were bound.

Apparently, the boy's mother had called 911 to report that her son had been injured, but did not go into any details.

Hankins, who appeared to be in a state of shock, was not cooperating as police led her down the stairs of her second-story apartment.

"There's cops with their guns drawn talking to the lady upstairs. She was covered in blood," next-door neighbor Christopher Tooze told KOVR. "He had stab wounds all over him, really bloody and a big stab wound in his head."

Hankins' neighbors at the Modesto apartment complex say she seemed like a kind, devoted mother. They claim she was very attentive in caring for her son who had to be bathed and fed, and required daily medication, reports KOVR.

The 13-year-old autistic boy underwent surgery Sunday night and was listed in critical, but stable condition.

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