A woman from Florida, grappling with “family challenges” and her son’s medical issues related to Asperger’s syndrome, believed the solution was a suicide pact involving her family. Despite the grim plan, both she and her family members survived the ordeal. Authorities reported that her husband attempted to shift the blame to their “disabled son,” claiming it was his idea.

Barbara Bates, aged 59, reportedly confessed to detectives from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office about plotting her family’s murder over several months. Despite her efforts, she was unable to procure a firearm, as outlined in a probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit reveals that Barbara secured sleeping pills intending to distribute them to her family and subsequently used a blade to inflict wounds on her husband and son’s throats, aiming to end their lives. She stated that her husband, Neil Bates, 64, agreed with the plan, which included their adult son in the tragic decision.

Neil Bates, however, denied originating the suicide plan, suggesting instead that their son had expressed a desire to die. He contended that the family ultimately made a collective decision. He described their son as exceptionally intelligent but doubting his ability to live independently, citing his erratic behavior and decision-making.

Barbara Bates indicated that the family faced imminent eviction and the threat of homelessness, which led them to devise a plan to die together before the eviction was enforced. According to police reports, she bought alcohol and sleeping pills, prepared a final meal, and planned a movie night to mark their last moments together.

“On Nov. 3, Barbara commuted to the Homestead Road Publix to purchase the final family meal of steak,” the probable cause statement alleges. “Barbara selected the horror movie, ‘The Long Walk,’ as a last family event.”

Halfway through the movie, Neil Bates drank alcohol, while their son consumed a handful of sleeping pills “as provided by Barbara,” according to police. After distributing the pills, Barbara Bates allegedly said she consumed the remainder and then moved the family to the master bedroom, where Neil pulled out a box cutter, after the movie ended.

“After the [son] and Neil were laying down next to each other, Neil utilized the blade to lacerate the right side of his neck,” the probable cause statement says. “Barbara stated that she did not believe the cut was deep enough, so she retrieved the blade and cut the right side of Neil’s throat. To speed the process, Barbara lifted Neil’s right arm and cut two parallel lacerations to increase the flow to avoid clotting.”

Barbara Bates allegedly moved to the opposite side of the bed and stabbed her son in the neck near his left ear, slicing his throat “downward to the larynx.” She admitted to remaining in the room for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, monitoring “the blood flow,” according to the probable cause statement.

“After losing patience, she sat next to her son and commenced lacerating her wrists,” the statement says. “Barbara purposefully waited for over 40 minutes to guarantee that they would not be resuscitated by first responders.”

After waiting, Barbara Bates allegedly called 911 and reported what happened. Deputies responded to the scene that Monday evening around 4:38 p.m. and found the family inside. Barbara was still conscious and told first responders that “she had cut the other occupants,” according to police.

“Barbara voiced her displeasure that law enforcement responded so efficiently and did not allow a more significant time gap for the family to complete the process,” the probable cause statement says.

The family was rushed to a local hospital, where the son — who is described as having “overt developmental disabilities” and Asperger’s — allegedly spoke to detectives. He recounted lying down next to his father on the master bedroom bed and closing his eyes as Neil Bates began “cutting his wrist” while his mother was slicing his father’s neck open with the box cutter.

“[The son] became nervous after feeling his father’s blood saturate his right arm,” the probable cause statement says. “His mother then cut his throat, making him panic and change his mind, and no longer want[ed] to participate.”

Neil Bates, however, told police that it was their son who urged them to keep going through with the suicide pact after he “became impatient and wanted to die,” according to the probable cause statement. Neil allegedly refused to admit to cutting the son, instead stating that he did not want to hurt him and “out of cowardice” proceeded to cut himself in the neck and arm with the box cutter.

“Neil later changed his story, stating that he knew he cut his neck, but did not remember cutting his arm,” the probable cause statement says. “Neil claimed that they were all being irrational that night and no longer wished to kill himself. Neil stated that he regretted following through with the plan.”

Neil Bates allegedly described his son as being officially diagnosed with Asperger’s and that he also has “several physical limitations and conditions,” which led to him not making it past the fifth grade due to “outbursts” he would have. Neil stated that he “informally homeschooled” the son without following an official education program, “only teaching him several subjects he should know,” the probable cause statement says.

Barbara Bates said her son’s condition was just one of several difficulties she and Neil Bates were facing at the time they planned the suicide pact.

“After experiencing the stress of family difficulties, medical ailments of her son and husband, the loss of jobs, and finally the eviction notice, Barbara concluded that she would no longer want to continue living,” police allege. “Barbara informed her family of their predicament, with the possibility of being homeless, in which the victims also stated a lost desire to live.”

Doctors treated all three individuals for their injuries and expect them to recover with no observable complications, according to cops. Barbara Bates allegedly told police in the hospital that “she still wished that the plan had succeeded” and she “did not demonstrate any remorse” for what happened.

Barbara Bates is charged with attempted murder and aggravated child abuse, while Neil Bates is facing charges of criminal attempt to commit a life felony and aggravated abuse of a disabled adult. Both are being held without bond.