You stumble on a headline that stops you cold: a mother allegedly stabbed her 6‑year‑old daughter more than 20 times and was found lying beside the child when police arrived. This piece gives the key facts about what happened, what investigators have released so far, and what to watch next in the legal process.
The article walks through the reported timeline of the attack, the condition of those involved, and official actions taken by law enforcement and prosecutors. It also outlines the immediate aftermath and the legal steps now unfolding, so you can understand the case beyond the sensational headline.
Details of the Stabbing Incident
The child, identified as Valerie Oliva, suffered multiple stab wounds at her Milton home. Authorities quickly named April Oliva as the suspect and began a homicide investigation led by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Timeline of Events Leading Up to the Attack
Deputies responded just after midnight to a 911 call reporting a cutting incident at a residence on Nowling Drive in Milton. Investigators say April Oliva was found at the scene lying next to her daughter; the call came from someone inside the home who reported a serious injury.
Law enforcement records and the arrest report indicate the child’s father was out of town for work at the time. April reportedly contacted her sister before deputies arrived and made statements that investigators described as disjointed, including mentions of “evil spirits.” The Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation shortly after initial deputies secured the scene.
Discovery by Family Members and Law Enforcement
Deputies entered the family kitchen and located Valerie’s body; she was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers found April nearby and transported her to a local hospital for treatment of injuries before booking her into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Family members received notification from law enforcement; media reports say April had called a relative prior to officers’ arrival. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest and said investigators were treating the incident as a homicide, with the Major Crimes Unit collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses at the home.
Nature and Extent of the Injuries
According to the arrest report and law enforcement statements, Valerie suffered more than 20 stab wounds inflicted with a kitchen knife. Reports describe “multiple stab wounds” concentrated on the child’s body; the medical examiner’s preliminary findings aligned with those observations.
Investigators documented the wounds as severe and numerous, which prompted immediate homicide procedures. Officials did not release graphic details about wound locations, citing the ongoing investigation and the family’s privacy, but confirmed the number of wounds and that the injuries caused the child’s death.
Responses from Authorities
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office publicly identified April Oliva, 40, as the person charged with murder; jail records show she was booked and held without bond. Chief Deputy Randy Tifft and other agency representatives described the case as “deeply tragic” while urging the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
Local media outlets, including WEAR News, covered the arrest and the court appearance that took place by video from a hospital bed. The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active; the Major Crimes Unit continues evidence collection, and prosecutors will review the arrest report and forensic findings as the case moves forward.
Relevant reporting: read the Santa Rosa Press Gazette’s account of the arrest and investigation for more details on the arrest report and statements from deputies (https://srpressgazette.com/sheriffmilton-mother-killed-six-year-old-child/).
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Authorities found the child with severe stab wounds and the mother lying beside her when officers arrived. First responders, investigators, and jail intake officers handled medical care, evidence collection, and formal arrest processing in Santa Rosa County.
Immediate Actions Taken After the Crime
Officers entered the home and secured the scene, locating the 6-year-old with multiple stab wounds and the woman beside her. Emergency medical personnel performed life-saving measures on the child at the scene before transporting her to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Deputies from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office photographed the scene, collected bloodied clothing and the suspected weapon, and documented trajectories and wound patterns. Investigators interviewed neighbors and family members, searched the residence for additional evidence, and obtained initial witness statements for the arrest report.
The sheriff’s office placed perimeter security while detectives executed any available search or arrest warrants. Jail transport was arranged once deputies determined the woman required no immediate inpatient psychiatric hold.
Hospitalization and Self-Inflicted Wounds
Medical teams treated the child and assessed the mother’s injuries. The mother arrived at a local hospital with reportedly self-inflicted wounds; clinicians evaluated both patients and provided stabilization before law enforcement took custody of the mother.
Hospital staff notified deputies about the mother’s physical condition and whether she required further treatment or observation. That information influenced timing for transport to custody and whether deputies would request the hospital to hold the mother under a medical or forensic guard.
If the mother’s wounds were treated and cleared, Santa Rosa County protocols typically direct that the patient be transferred to law enforcement custody and booked. Medical records and treating clinicians’ notes became part of the investigative file and may factor into claims about intent or mental state.
Arrest and Booking Process
After medical clearance, deputies formally arrested the woman and completed an arrest report detailing charges, probable cause, and officer observations. The arrest paperwork listed identifying information, date and time of arrest, and initial charges related to the stabbing incident.
The suspect was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail, where intake staff photographed and fingerprinted her, logged personal property, and recorded any medical restrictions. Booking records often note whether the individual is being held without bond and include the custody classification assigned by the jail.
Sheriff’s deputies coordinated with the county prosecutor’s office to present the arrest package. The arrest report and evidence chain were forwarded to investigators and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff for review as officials prepared charging recommendations.
Ongoing Investigation Status
Detectives continue to work the case, analyzing forensic evidence, ballistics (if applicable), and medical examiner reports. They are reviewing digital records, phone data, and recent communications tied to the family to establish motive and timeline.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information to come forward; investigators reassess witness statements as new forensic results arrive. Prosecutors will await the full investigative file and medical examiner’s findings before filing formal charges or modifying counts in the arrest report.
More from Decluttering Mom:
