Mother kills self, son in Arizona hospital

Police are investigating an alleged murder-suicide involving a mother and her son at Mesa, Ariz.-based Banner Health Cardon Children's Medical Center, according to AZcentral.com.

Lola T. "Tammy" Griffith is suspected of killing her five-year-old son Helious, who would have turned six on Dec. 24.

The bodies of the mother and son were found in Helious' room shortly after 2:00 am on the morning of Nov. 7. Mesa police have not said how Helious was killed, but believe Ms. Griffith shot herself. They do not yet know what Ms. Griffith's motive was.

"At no time were others impacted by this incident and we remain vigilant in the safety of all we're treating and seeing at Cardon Children's Medical Center," said Banner Health spokesman David Lozano in a statement.

Helious was hospitalized for the past week, but neither the hospital staff nor police have revealed why.

In early October, Ms. Griffith allegedly wrote a post on the crowdsourcing site YouCaring.com claiming Helious was diagnosed with dystonic cerebral palsy at age one. The post also said Helious suffered from separation anxiety. Ms. Griffith asked donators for support so she could buy a used car.

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