Christine Falling
American Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Perry, Florida
TIME PERIOD
1980-1982
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Christine Laverne Falling, born March 12, 1963, is an American serial killer convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, with a total of six known victims between 1980 and 1982 in Florida. The first incident occurred on February 25, 1980, when 2-year-old Cassidy Johnson, whom Falling was babysitting, died from blunt force trauma to the skull, initially ruled as an accident due to Falling's claims that the child fell from her crib. Subsequent investigations revealed a pattern of suspicious deaths among children in Falling's care, leading to her arrest and conviction. Currently, Falling is serving a life sentence at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, with ongoing inquiries into her earlier cases highlighting systemic failures in the investigation of her actions. Significant evidence includes medical reports and witness testimonies that contradict Falling's accounts of the children's deaths.
Christine Falling is believed to have developed her violent tendencies due to a traumatic childhood, marked by poverty and instability, which some theorize contributed to her mental health issues. Her early behavior of harming animals is often cited as a warning sign of her later violent actions. Investigators speculate that her tumultuous upbringing and lack of support may have played a significant role in her path to becoming a serial killer.
The Troubling Tale of Christine Falling: The Babysitter Turned Serial Killer
Early Life: A Troubled Beginning
Christine Laverne Slaughter, later known as Christine Falling, was born on March 12, 1963, in the small town of Perry, Florida, into a family that seemed doomed from the start. Her father, Thomas, at 65, was more than four times the age of her mother, Ann, who was just 16 years old when Christine was born. The family lived in poverty, and Christine's childhood was marred by neglect and hardship. Diagnosed as mentally challenged and suffering from epilepsy, she was a child who never received the nurturing she needed.
Christine’s early years were tumultuous. Her parents' inability to care for her, coupled with their frequent arguments, resulted in her spending significant time in orphanages. It was during this period that Christine's unsettling behavior began to surface. She would kill small animals, especially domestic cats, rationalizing her cruel acts by claiming she was testing their "nine lives."
In a desperate bid to perhaps find some stability, Christine’s parents forced her into a marriage at the tender age of 14 with a 20-year-old man. However, this union was fraught with daily fights and ended in divorce just six weeks later. Following the failed marriage, Christine’s life spiraled further. Plagued by hypochondriac episodes, she was hospitalized 50 times over two years, suffering hallucinations and other unexplained symptoms. At 16, she was deemed incapacitated on medical grounds.
In an attempt to earn some income, Christine took up babysitting for neighbors and friends—a decision that would soon cast a dark shadow over multiple families.
The Murders Begin
The string of mysterious deaths began on February 25, 1980, when two-year-old Cassidy Johnson was sent to a doctor's office in Blountstown, Florida, diagnosed with encephalitis. Just three days later, Cassidy succumbed to what was reported as blunt force trauma to the skull. Christine, who was babysitting Cassidy, claimed the child had "passed out" and fallen from her crib. The attending physician, suspicious of Christine’s account, advised the police to investigate. Tragically, his note was lost, and the case was closed.
Christine relocated to Lakeland, Florida, but the deaths continued. In early summer 1980, four-year-old Jeffrey Davis died under her care. The autopsy attributed his death to myocarditis, a rarely fatal heart condition. Just three days later, at Jeffrey's funeral, Christine was tasked with watching Jeffrey’s cousin, two-year-old Joseph Spring. Joseph died within hours, with doctors diagnosing a viral infection. They speculated that the same virus might have taken Jeffrey’s life.
By July 1981, Christine had returned to Perry, Florida. With her reputation preceding her, fewer families were willing to trust her with their children. Instead, she found employment as a nursing assistant and housekeeper for the elderly. On her first day caring for 77-year-old William Swindle, he died in his kitchen.
The fall of 1981 saw another tragedy. Eight-month-old Jennifer Daniels, the daughter of Christine’s half-sister, stopped breathing while left briefly in Christine’s care. Doctors initially suspected Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The turning point in this chain of deaths came on July 2, 1982, with the death of 10-week-old Travis Coleman in Blountstown. Travis, under Christine’s care, suffered internal injuries indicative of suffocation. This incident finally drew the attention of law enforcement, and when confronted, Christine confessed. She admitted to hearing voices commanding her to "Kill the baby," leading her to suffocate the children using pillows and blankets.
The Legal Reckoning
Christine Falling confessed to the murders of Cassidy Johnson, Jennifer Daniels, and Travis Coleman. In December 1982, she was sentenced to life imprisonment, her confession sparing her the death penalty.
After serving 25 years, Christine became eligible for parole. However, in November 2017, the parole review board denied her application, a decision made without any support from those who knew her. Her next parole hearing is scheduled for 2024. Christine remains incarcerated at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida.
Literary Accounts
Christine Falling's grim story is documented in multiple works, including "The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers" by Michael Newton and "Dictionary of Serial Killers" by Peter and Julia Murakami.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Christine Falling
- "Inmate Population Information Detail" - Florida Department of Corrections
- Associated Press: "FLORIDA BABY SITTER PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDERING THREE IN HER CARE"
- Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News: "The casual horror behind Christine Falling, the Florida baby-sitter from hell"
- Capitol News Service: "Killer Babysitter" will stay behind bars
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Child Death
2-year-old Cassidy Johnson dies while in Falling's care; autopsy reveals blunt force trauma.
Second Child Death
4-year-old Jeffrey Davis dies under Falling's supervision; autopsy indicates myocarditis.
Third Child Death
2-year-old Joseph Spring dies shortly after being cared for by Falling; diagnosed with viral infection.
Confession to Murders
Falling confesses to murdering three children, including 10-week-old Travis Coleman, by suffocation.
Sentenced to Life
Christine Falling is sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of murder.
Parole Hearing Denied
Falling's application for parole is rejected by the parole review board.
Upcoming Parole Hearing
Christine Falling is scheduled for another parole hearing.
Christine Laverne Falling, born March 12, 1963, is an American serial killer convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, with a total of six known victims between 1980 and 1982 in Florida. The first incident occurred on February 25, 1980, when 2-year-old Cassidy Johnson, whom Falling was babysitting, died from blunt force trauma to the skull, initially ruled as an accident due to Falling's claims that the child fell from her crib. Subsequent investigations revealed a pattern of suspicious deaths among children in Falling's care, leading to her arrest and conviction. Currently, Falling is serving a life sentence at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, with ongoing inquiries into her earlier cases highlighting systemic failures in the investigation of her actions. Significant evidence includes medical reports and witness testimonies that contradict Falling's accounts of the children's deaths.
Christine Falling is believed to have developed her violent tendencies due to a traumatic childhood, marked by poverty and instability, which some theorize contributed to her mental health issues. Her early behavior of harming animals is often cited as a warning sign of her later violent actions. Investigators speculate that her tumultuous upbringing and lack of support may have played a significant role in her path to becoming a serial killer.
The Troubling Tale of Christine Falling: The Babysitter Turned Serial Killer
Early Life: A Troubled Beginning
Christine Laverne Slaughter, later known as Christine Falling, was born on March 12, 1963, in the small town of Perry, Florida, into a family that seemed doomed from the start. Her father, Thomas, at 65, was more than four times the age of her mother, Ann, who was just 16 years old when Christine was born. The family lived in poverty, and Christine's childhood was marred by neglect and hardship. Diagnosed as mentally challenged and suffering from epilepsy, she was a child who never received the nurturing she needed.
Christine’s early years were tumultuous. Her parents' inability to care for her, coupled with their frequent arguments, resulted in her spending significant time in orphanages. It was during this period that Christine's unsettling behavior began to surface. She would kill small animals, especially domestic cats, rationalizing her cruel acts by claiming she was testing their "nine lives."
In a desperate bid to perhaps find some stability, Christine’s parents forced her into a marriage at the tender age of 14 with a 20-year-old man. However, this union was fraught with daily fights and ended in divorce just six weeks later. Following the failed marriage, Christine’s life spiraled further. Plagued by hypochondriac episodes, she was hospitalized 50 times over two years, suffering hallucinations and other unexplained symptoms. At 16, she was deemed incapacitated on medical grounds.
In an attempt to earn some income, Christine took up babysitting for neighbors and friends—a decision that would soon cast a dark shadow over multiple families.
The Murders Begin
The string of mysterious deaths began on February 25, 1980, when two-year-old Cassidy Johnson was sent to a doctor's office in Blountstown, Florida, diagnosed with encephalitis. Just three days later, Cassidy succumbed to what was reported as blunt force trauma to the skull. Christine, who was babysitting Cassidy, claimed the child had "passed out" and fallen from her crib. The attending physician, suspicious of Christine’s account, advised the police to investigate. Tragically, his note was lost, and the case was closed.
Christine relocated to Lakeland, Florida, but the deaths continued. In early summer 1980, four-year-old Jeffrey Davis died under her care. The autopsy attributed his death to myocarditis, a rarely fatal heart condition. Just three days later, at Jeffrey's funeral, Christine was tasked with watching Jeffrey’s cousin, two-year-old Joseph Spring. Joseph died within hours, with doctors diagnosing a viral infection. They speculated that the same virus might have taken Jeffrey’s life.
By July 1981, Christine had returned to Perry, Florida. With her reputation preceding her, fewer families were willing to trust her with their children. Instead, she found employment as a nursing assistant and housekeeper for the elderly. On her first day caring for 77-year-old William Swindle, he died in his kitchen.
The fall of 1981 saw another tragedy. Eight-month-old Jennifer Daniels, the daughter of Christine’s half-sister, stopped breathing while left briefly in Christine’s care. Doctors initially suspected Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The turning point in this chain of deaths came on July 2, 1982, with the death of 10-week-old Travis Coleman in Blountstown. Travis, under Christine’s care, suffered internal injuries indicative of suffocation. This incident finally drew the attention of law enforcement, and when confronted, Christine confessed. She admitted to hearing voices commanding her to "Kill the baby," leading her to suffocate the children using pillows and blankets.
The Legal Reckoning
Christine Falling confessed to the murders of Cassidy Johnson, Jennifer Daniels, and Travis Coleman. In December 1982, she was sentenced to life imprisonment, her confession sparing her the death penalty.
After serving 25 years, Christine became eligible for parole. However, in November 2017, the parole review board denied her application, a decision made without any support from those who knew her. Her next parole hearing is scheduled for 2024. Christine remains incarcerated at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida.
Literary Accounts
Christine Falling's grim story is documented in multiple works, including "The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers" by Michael Newton and "Dictionary of Serial Killers" by Peter and Julia Murakami.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Christine Falling
- "Inmate Population Information Detail" - Florida Department of Corrections
- Associated Press: "FLORIDA BABY SITTER PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDERING THREE IN HER CARE"
- Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News: "The casual horror behind Christine Falling, the Florida baby-sitter from hell"
- Capitol News Service: "Killer Babysitter" will stay behind bars
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Child Death
2-year-old Cassidy Johnson dies while in Falling's care; autopsy reveals blunt force trauma.
Second Child Death
4-year-old Jeffrey Davis dies under Falling's supervision; autopsy indicates myocarditis.
Third Child Death
2-year-old Joseph Spring dies shortly after being cared for by Falling; diagnosed with viral infection.
Confession to Murders
Falling confesses to murdering three children, including 10-week-old Travis Coleman, by suffocation.
Sentenced to Life
Christine Falling is sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of murder.
Parole Hearing Denied
Falling's application for parole is rejected by the parole review board.
Upcoming Parole Hearing
Christine Falling is scheduled for another parole hearing.