Family doubts mental health claims of Bullitt County mom charged with murder of young sons

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Bullitt County mom accused of shooting and killing her two children now plans to use an insanity defense, but at least one person is casting doubt on the claims.

Tiffanie Lucas has been in the Bullitt County Detention Center for 10 months on a $2 million bond, charged with the murders of her sons, six-year-old Maurice Baker Jr. and nine-year-old Jayden Howard. The young brothers were found shot to death inside their home in Nov. 2023.

Maurice Baker Jr. and Jayden Howard were found shot at their home in Bullitt County on Nov. 8, 2023. (Submitted photo)

"It's still hard. It still feels the same. Like I just found out yesterday," Bobbie Baker said Tuesday. Baker is the youngest boy's aunt.

Lawyers for Lucas filed papers this week to let the court know she plans to use an insanity defense, but Baker said she isn't convinced.

"She's not crazy. She's not. But I expected that, that would be one of the pleas that they try to use," Baker said.

According to the court document, "... the defense intends to assert a defense of insanity at the time of the alleged offense" but there was not a request to evaluate Lucas' competency for standing trial.

In July, conversations in the courtroom centered on mediation, which meant the possibility of some kind of plea deal being reached in the case, but Baker reiterated Tuesday that's not something her family wants.

"I hope it goes to trial. I want it to. She doesn't deserve a plea deal," said Baker.

A trial is currently scheduled for this December.

In Dec. 2023, Lucas pleaded not guilty. Also in a court hearing for this case last year, Bullitt County Detective Richard Beahl shared details from his interview with Lucas after she was taken to the sheriff's office.

"I asked Ms. Lucas if she meant to hurt her children. She indicated that it was an accident," said Beahl in Nov. 2023.

Also at that time, Beahl said Lucas "made statements that she was being manipulated through Facebook, through the internet or through Wi-Fi — through Facebook and through her Wi-Fi — being manipulated into doing what she did."

Baker said her family is still trying to cope without the two boys. She's come from Georgia to Kentucky to be there each time Lucas is in court. This time, she made the trip to Louisville for a memorial planned for Maurice Jr. She said his seventh birthday would be Thursday, Sept. 17. Tuesday morning she stopped at a local flower shop to order arrangements to take to his gravesite.

"We're going to still show up. I will be at every court date still," Baker said.

WDRB reached out to Lucas' attorneys who said they're not commenting at this time. Bullitt County Commonwealth's Attorney Bailey Taylor was not available for an interview Tuesday.

Lucas is scheduled for trial Dec. 17.

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