Mother accused in brutal stabbing of 4-year-old son in Harris County, Texas

HOUSTON -- A mother is accused of stabbing and mutilating her 4-year-old son in northwest Harris County Thursday. Deputies say the 23-year-old woman cut off the boy's genitals.

Investigators say the mother had no top on as she allegedly stabbed her son several times with an object in the front yard of their home.

The boy suffered critical injuries and was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

"I hope he's OK," said neighbor Sarah Moore. "I pray to God he is. It's sad and I don't understand how a mother could do that. I have two babies of my own and I couldn't fathom. It's heartbreaking."

The afternoon was rocked by the disturbing scene in the front yard of the home on James River Lane. Even the deputies who arrived to subdue the mother are dealing with some difficult emotions.

"The scene itself was a terrible one for deputies to arrive to," said Thomas Gilliland with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "In the course of our events every day to keep our streets safe, these are the things that weigh very heavily on us when we arrive at things like this."

Deputies say the mother and child were the only ones home at the time. No word on the motive behind the stabbing.

The woman was taken into custody.