Ep 6. Murder of Innocence

In season 6 episode 6 of the true-crime series Deadly Women, titled "Murder of Innocence," viewers are introduced to three disturbing cases of women who targeted and killed young children.

The first case involves a woman named Darci Pierce, a daycare worker who was trusted by parents to care for their children. However, Pierce had a dark secret - she was struggling with addiction and had been secretly drugging the children in her care with medication to make them sleep. One day, Pierce gave a dose of medication to a 19-month-old boy that was stronger than usual, and he tragically died in his sleep. The investigation into the child's death eventually led to Pierce's arrest and conviction.

The second case follows the story of a woman named Lisa Ann Millican, who was abducted and murdered by a group of individuals, including a woman named Judith Neelley. Neelley, along with her husband, lured Millican into a car by posing as law enforcement officers and proceeded to torture and sexually assault her before ultimately killing her. Neelley was sentenced to death for her role in Millican's murder.

The final case explores the actions of a woman named Diane Downs, who infamously shot her three children in the hopes of winning back the affections of a man who did not want to be with her because of her children. Despite suffering life-threatening injuries, Downs' children survived and went on to testify against their mother in court. Downs was eventually convicted of the murder of one child and attempted murder of the other two.

Throughout the episode, various experts provide insight into the psychology behind the crimes committed by these women, with a particular focus on the ways in which societal expectations and pressures can contribute to extreme behavior. There are also interviews with family members of the victims, who speak to the devastating impact these crimes have had on their lives.

As with many episodes of Deadly Women, "Murder of Innocence" is a difficult watch due to the distressing nature of the crimes being discussed. However, it also provides a sobering reminder of the importance of recognizing the warning signs of dangerous behavior and taking action before it's too late.