INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The suspect in this morning’s stabbing of two children and their mother has been arrested, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Keith Underwood has been arrested in Fort Pierce for charges stemming from a domestic violence/stabbing incident which occurred in Indian River County, according to authorities.
Underwood faces charges including one count of domestic violence/aggravated battery and one count of child abuse, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The adult victim, Underwood’s wife, reported that the two had been involved in several verbal disturbances throughout the night and into the early morning hours.
Indian River County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the residence twice this morning, once at 1:41 a.m. and again at 3:13 a.m., according to authorities. During both responses, it was determined that no crime had occurred and the argument was not physical.
The third response occurred when Underwood reportedly attacked his wife while she lay on the sofa with her 12-year-old son, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Both the 12-year-old and the victim’s 15-year-old daughter tried to intervene in the physical fight between their mother and step father. It was at this point that the children were injured as previously reported.
The 12-year-old is in stable condition at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach and is expected to be released tomorrow, according to authorities. The 15-year-old sustained a sprained wrist and was treated and released from Indian River Medical Center this morning. Underwood’s wife was also treated for minor scratches and released from IRMC this morning.
Prior to the 5:05 a.m. disturbance which led to his three family members being injured, neighbors reported seeing Underwood releasing the air out of the tires of his wife’s car, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators learned that Underwood left the residence and went to a Walgreens in Fort Pierce where he called the Fort Pierce Police Department, according to authorities. Officers responded and he was taken into custody at the request of Indian River County Detectives. He initially told investigators that he acted in self defense, however, witness testimony and the physical evidence at the scene contradicted his statement. He was arrested by Indian River County Detective Ross Partee and booked into the Saint Lucie County Jail where he will remain until his first appearance hearing tomorrow morning. At that time, a bond could be set or arrangements for him to be transported to Indian River County Jail could be made.
Underwood has not been arrested in Indian River County prior to this incident.
Oct. 11, 10:09 a.m. – INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Two children ages 12 and 15 and their mother have been injured in a stabbing that happened earlier this morning, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators are still conducting interviews and crime scene units are at the scene of the stabbing at the 2500 block of 14th Street SW, according to authorities. The relationship between the injured children and the subject in custody, Keith Underwood, has not yet been released.
The mother of the children was also injured in the disturbance, according to the Sheriff’s Office. She was treated and released from Indian River Medical Center. Her relationship with Underwood is also not yet known.
The 12-year-old stabbing victim was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, according to authorities. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. The 15-year-old remains at Indian River Medical Center.
Underwood is in the custody of the Ft. Pierce Police Department.
Oct. 11, 8:38 a.m. – INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — This morning authorities responded to a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old that were stabbed, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 5 a.m., deputies responded to a residence in the 2500 block of 14th Street SW according to authorities. On scene, deputies found a 12-year-old male had been stabbed in the head. That child was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center by medical helicopter, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A 15-year-old female was also stabbed and received, what is believed to be, non-life threatening injuries. She was transported to Indian River Medical Center, according to authorities.