‘Always Smiling’ New Jersey Mother Accused of Stabbing 5-Year-Old Son Looked ‘Possessed,’ Neighbor Says

A mother in New Jersey has been arrested after she allegedly stabbed her 5-year-old son while she was in the midst of a mental health breakdown, according to authorities.

According to News 12 New Jersey, 29-year-old Symona McGhee was identified as the boy’s mother and she is being charged with the attempted murder of her son.

The boy remains at University Hospital in stable but critical condition, officials said.

McGhee was in the midst of a mental health breakdown when the child was injured at their Newark apartment on Nov. 6, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Officer announced.

A neighbor spoke with News 12, saying, “They brought her out in handcuffs. I never saw her look like that. She looked, like possessed, she was out of it, where she looked scary.”

The neighbor stated she knew McGhee was dealing with mental health issues, but thought she was a very caring mother.

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“She always was smiling, always dressed nice. The baby was happy. She took real good care of him,” the neighbor said. “They were friendly, they have cookouts…They seem like a real no-problem family…I just hope the baby makes it.”

McGhee was charged with attempted murder, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a weapon, according to police.

She was also taken to University Hospital to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, police said. She does not appear to have any prior criminal record.