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Inset: April Oliva (Santa Rosa County Jail). Background: Home in the 5000 block of Nowling Drive in Milton, Florida, where she allegedly murdered her 6-year-old daughter (WEAR/YouTube).
A tragic incident unfolded in Florida when a 40-year-old woman allegedly stabbed her 6-year-old daughter 20 times before making a distressing phone call to her sister. The woman, April Oliva, reportedly mentioned “evil spirits” during the call, according to authorities.
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office has charged April Oliva with murder following the death of her daughter, Valerie Oliva. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 5000 block of Nowling Drive in Milton, located in Florida’s Panhandle, around midnight on Wednesday after receiving a report of a stabbing. As detailed in a probable cause affidavit acquired by Law&Crime, April contacted her sister, expressing concerns about “evil spirits” and indicating that “something bad happened.” Her sister then asked their father to check on the situation.
Upon arrival, the father heard April shouting but couldn’t discern her words, according to the affidavit. He eventually entered the house through an unlocked door leading to the master bedroom and proceeded to the kitchen. There, he discovered a horrifying scene: April and her daughter Valerie were both covered in blood.
Investigators noted that April repeatedly said, “She’s dead,” while the father observed Valerie’s motionless body.
He immediately dialed 911. Upon the deputies’ arrival, they reportedly found April lying atop Valerie’s body. Blood was evident throughout the residence, with the kitchen being particularly affected by the violence.
“It was quickly determined Valerie was deceased and had sustained deep lacerations to her neck exposing tissue and bone,” the affidavit stated.
Valerie’s body was covered with a “towel-like cloth” and a kitchen rug, per cops. A medical examiner determined she had suffered 20 stab wounds and lacerations.
Oliva was suffering from apparently self-inflicted lacerations. She was taken to the hospital.
The mother was the only one at the home with her daughter as her husband — Valerie’s father — was out of town for work, deputies said.
“This is a deeply tragic case, and our thoughts are with all those affected,” the press release stated. “Detectives continue to gather evidence and conduct interviews.”
Oliva is at the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.