Ohio Mother Stabbed to Death After Telling Son He Couldn't Spend the Night at Her Home: Police

An Ohio woman told her son he was not welcome to stay at the family's house that night, so he fatally stabbed her and critically injured his father, authorities allege.

Around 4 p.m. on Aug. 9, first responders were called to a home in Cincinnati about a stabbing, according to the Green Township Police Department.

At the scene, first responders found the victims suffering apparent stab wounds. The mother, identified as Barbara Mortimer, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Medics transported the second victim, a 75-year-old male, to the hospital for treatment of his serious injuries.

Authorities said the suspect, 40-year-old Kenneth Mortimer, fled the scene before police arrived. Police alleged Mortimer attacked his parents during an argument.

Police said they were able to track down Mortimer in Cincinnati and he was arrested.

According to court documents obtained by WCPO-TV, during the argument between the suspect and his parents, Barbara Mortimer told her son that he was not allowed to stay at their house that night.

The pair then got into a physical altercation, and Barbara told her husband to call psychiatric services, officials said.

Kenneth Mortimer attacked his parents, and Barbara Mortimer was able to escape outside before her son tackled and “dragged” her back into the home, where he continued to stab her, according to court records.

When speaking with police, Mortimer allegedly confessed to the stabbing, authorities said.

Mortimer was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and felonious assault.

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

He was booked into the Hamilton County Jail and was being held on a $2 million bond.

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, Mortimer pleaded guilty in 2023 to public indecency and was sentenced to 93 days in jail and probation.