DANIA BEACH, Fla. — A 35-year-old man was arrested Monday after authorities said he stabbed his mother while she slept and then fled in her car last week.
It happened around 4 a.m. Oct. 29 at the family’s home.
On the morning of the attack, the victim said she woke up to find her son, Derrick Murphy, on top of her, Davie police said.
They said the victim suffered two puncture wounds on the right side of her neck, a laceration across the back of her neck, and a puncture wound to her right hand.
Police said Murphy then left the residence in his mother’s white 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, which he did not have permission to use.
Detectives met with the victim, who told officers that Murphy had lived with her for six months.
During that time, she said he exhibited “off and erratic behavior, including talking to himself,” according to Murphy’s arrest report. She added that Murphy had not been medically diagnosed with mental health issues and did not take any medications.
Murphy’s mother told police that she allowed him to use her car only for “short errands,” such as grocery shopping.
Police said Murphy “had probable cause to believe that Murphy did attempt to kill his mother with premeditation and took her vehicle without permission to flee the scene.”
Murphy is facing one count each of attempted murder and grand theft of a motor vehicle, according to jail records.
As of Tuesday, he was being held without bond at the Broward Main Jail.
Murphy appeared in bond court Tuesday, where a judge ordered him held without bond and prohibited any contact with the victim, as well as possession of firearms, weapons, or ammunition.
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