Dr. Phil: Mother Tries To Kill Autistic Daughter
Dr. Phil has been continuing his discussion about Kelli Stapleton, the mother who attempted to kill herself and her autistic daughter because she felt that she couldn’t help her daughter or herself anymore. Her daughter Issy has violent outbursts that has knocked Kelli out before. Kelli has said she did it because she thought heaven was a better place for them both.
Dr. Phil: What Did Her Therapist Have To Say?

Dr. Phil talked to Kelli’s therapist to find out what she thought of Kelli and a mother named Lisa who has also contemplated murdering her violent and autistic son. (frikota / Shutterstock.com)
Now, Dr. Phil talks to Dr. Carol Lieberman, who spent over 20 hours doing a clinical interview with Kelli over three days. Dr. Lieberman said that Issy’s tantrums started when Issy was 8. As Issy got bigger, the more violent her tantrums became. She gave Kelli black eyes, fractured her cheek, and would regularly hit her in the head or in the abdomen.
Dr. Lieberman said she diagnosed Kelli with a number of disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Lieberman said that Kelli was in a disassociated state the day she tried to kill herself and Issy. To her, it wasn’t murder or killing. To her, she was accompanying Issy to Heaven. Kelli felt like she was doing this as a sacrifice and didn’t think it was murder or even wrong.
Dr. Lieberman also said that she thought Issy may have eventually killed Kelli. The violence was escalating and the last two severe attacks resulted in the loss of consciousness for Kelli. Kelli had previously told Dr. Phil that Issy was continuing to beat her after she lost consciousness.
Dr. Lieberman also said that Kelli was planning to live with Issy alone at one point in an apartment and she was terrified Issy would kill her or start a fire trying to cook.
Dr. Phil: Another Mother Thinks of Killing Her Child
Dr. Phil also talked to another mother, Lisa, whose son Preston also suffered from autism and has aggressive outbursts. Preston scratches her face and pinches her during his outbursts. He’ll punch her or slap her across the face. She said he also pushed her down the steps once. He’s fractured her ankle and given her blackeyes. He’s damaged everything.
“I know my son could kill me. I love my son Preston more than anything in this world, but I’m afraid of my son and I can no longer care for him,” she said.
Lisa joined Dr. Phil in the studio. She said her son has been violent for a long time and he’s getting stronger. Lisa said she’s considered contemplated killing herself and her son. She said it’s hard to explain to others. Her son’s behaviors take a huge toll on her. She said she didn’t know when his violent outbursts would come out and she knows she could be the target. She it’s very hard.
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