To see part 2 click here.
HANOVER, VA —A Hanover County mother accused of assaulting her 11-year-old son with an ax and then setting the family's home on fire in an attempt to kill herself and her three children had drugged the boy before starting the fire, according to court documents.
Kimberly K. Shepperson, 30, of the 8200 block of Bultaco Trail, has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding and arson.
Authorities say Shepperson attempted to kill her 11-year-old son with an ax. When the boy did not die, Shepperson drugged the boy with the sleeping aid Temazepam and then set fire to his bedroom, according to court documents.
Shepperson then attempted to kill herself and her two other children, a 10-month-old infant and a 7-year-old child, by setting a fire inside her bedroom, according to the documents.
Court documents show the smoke detector outside the boy's bedroom had been disabled, and the ax was found hidden under the mother's bed.
A Hanover County Sheriff's deputy was able to break a bedroom window and pull the 11-year-old from the fire.
The 11-year-old suffered extensive smoke inhalation and remains hospitalized at VCU Medical Center. He is expected to make a full recovery.
The infant and 7-year-old child have been released from VCU Medical Center and are being cared for by relatives.
In a Monday court hearing, an attorney was appointed to Shepperson; her next court date is scheduled for April.
Stay with 8News for the latest.
Copyright 2013 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
