Babysitter fatally stabbed child’s mom to death after they shared a weed cookie, police say

Authorities in Pennsylvania said a 26-year-old man fatally stabbed a woman who hired him to babysit her two children after they shared a weed cookie after dinner.

In the aftermath of the fatal incident, the suspect, identified as Lavrius Watson, told investigators he stabbed 41-year-old Elizabeth Bennett Leonard multiple times after the weed cookie he shared with the deceased victim gave him an adverse reaction, Pocono Record reported.

Police said the incident happened at Leonard’s Mountain Top home after midnight on Saturday. And officers responded to the scene after Watson called 911 to report the killing. “Somebody got killed,” the suspect said.

Officers found Leonard’s body on the front steps of the home. She had multiple stab wounds to the abdomen. And after Watson came outside when officers arrived, he reportedly knelt down and said, “Why did I do that?”

One of the deceased victim’s children was in the home at the time of the incident. The other child had gone out the day prior. Watson also told the police he had known Leonard for seven years, and he went to her home on Friday for babysitting duties, Pocono Record reported.

After consuming the weed cookie, Watson told the police he recalled going to the kitchen and taking a knife before stabbing Leonard about five times. Following the attack, police said Watson called for an ambulance, adding that he was “audibly crying” on the phone. Watson also told the control operator he had fatally stabbed Leonard but he couldn’t recall where he had left the murder weapon.

Watson, who was arrested when officers arrived, is currently being held at the Luzerne County Prison after he was denied bail. He has been charged with criminal homicide.