Deputies say woman burned her 2 children, self after being 'humiliated' in custody dispute

Deputies say woman burned her 2 children, self

Deputies in Florida said a woman killed her 9-month-old baby and attempted to kill her 2-year-old son after feeling "humiliated" in a child custody dispute.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Deputies in Florida said a woman killed her 9-month-old baby and attempted to kill her 2-year-old son after feeling "humiliated" in a child custody dispute.

Chilling surveillance footage shows Esther Thelus at a convenience store counter, purchasing a red gas canister and a lighter that deputies say she later used to set herself and her children on fire.

Africa Cornelius, familiar with the tragic incident, called it heartbreaking.

"I wasn't here when it happened, but hearing somebody set themselves on fire just shows you how hard life can get, but never that deep for you to take it to that extent, especially with the baby. That's crazy to me."

According to deputies, Thelus had two children — a 2-year-old son, whose name has not been released, and 9-month-old Davinci Joseph. Investigators said Thelus planned to move to South Florida with Davinci but wanted to leave her older child with his father. However, the father and his mother reportedly requested a DNA test before taking custody, which deputies said was the "humiliation" that led Thelus to the tragic act.