NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A mother faces more than 20 charges in relation to her teenage son's Oct. 31 death, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) announced Friday.
Six firearms were recovered from 34-year-old Tabitha Ward's residence on Cross Timbers Drive on the night of her 15-year-old son's death by suicide, the MNPD said. Due to Ward's prior felony convictions, she should not have been in possession of any firearms, police added.
Ward's roommate told Nashville police that after Ward had found her son in his room with a gunshot wound, she transferred a backpack with all six weapons to the roommate's bedroom before first responders could arrive. Her son was transported to Vanderbilt Pediatrics for treatment where he ultimately died.
Further, Ward had reportedly taught the boys how to shoot the guns in the woods one week prior to her son's death.
Ward reportedly lost custody of her 15-year-old and 14-year-old sons in May. However, the MNPD said she refused to cooperate with the Department of Children's Services (DCS) and further instructed the teens to run away from state custody. She simultaneously signed documents agreeing that she would not harbor the boys, who were listed as runaways ever since.
As of publication, Ward is in custody on a $116,000 bond. The MNPD said she was charged with:
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Evidence tampering
- Felony weapon possession
- Aggravated child endangerment
- Custodial interference
- Harboring runaways
- Contributing to the delinquency of minors