Six-Year-Old Intervenes in Mother’s Knife Attack to Protect Three-Year-Old Sister

In Spartanburg, South Carolina, a six-year-old named Dawson intervened when his mother, Taylor Gosnell, launched a knife attack on his three-year-old sister, Hazel. According to their grandmother, Jan Marie Mull, the children were stabbed roughly 50 times, and Dawson took the brunt of the assault, potentially facing arm amputation. The incident came to light after Mull called police for a welfare check, prompted by a call from Dawson who said he was hungry and his mother was gone.

Deputies discovered a blood-splattered home with smashed televisions and mirrors, suggesting a violent outburst. Gosnell was arrested on attempted-murder charges, is being held without bond, and is scheduled to appear in court on November 12. The case adds to a series of recent high-profile incidents involving mothers accused of harming their children.