A California man is accused of throwing his baby girl off a cliff just an hour after stabbing his pregnant wife.
Adam Slater, 49, from Palm Desert has been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon, according to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.Â
Early Wednesday morning, Slater reportedly met with his wife.
Slater met with his wife, Ashely Grome, that day, according to News Channel 3. She then shared with the news station that she was in her car at a church parking lot, along with their 1-year-old daughter, Madalyn Payton Slater.
It was there that she met with her husband — and when events turned horrific. Ashely was then “brutally attacked outside a local church.”
Ashley, who was also allegedly six months pregnant with her second child, claimes she was then attacked by her husband in the parking lot, where he stabbed her multiple times.
She was then discovered by police officers who were dispatched to a stabbing report around 8:30 a.m. Slater then reportedly left in his car along with their 1-year-old daughter.
Police then received a report around 9 a.m. Wednesday that there was a collision just 15 miles from where Grome was found. The description of the car matched the description of the vehicle that Slater had driven. The vehicle was overturned off Highway 74 in Santa Rosa.
According to witnesses, they rushed to the scene of the crash to help those in the overturned car when the driver allegedly got out.
The driver, who was later identified by Slater, allegedly got out of the driver’s seat, ran to the other side, and stabbed a bystander who was attempting to help remove the baby girl from under the overturned car.
RELATED: Susan Smith, Who Murdered Her Two Children in 1994, Cries Every Christmas Over Their Deaths
Slater then took the baby girl, later identified as Madlyn, and, according to multiple witnesses, proceeded to “throw her over a steep cliff into a ravine,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said.
The then took off on foot into the canyon; Sherrif’s deputies arrived and were able to catch up to Slater. They additionally discovered Madalyn, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Slater was then taken to the hospital to treat injuries from the crash.
Ashley Grome started a GoFundMe page to help pay for her a funeral for her daughter.
“My daughter was the absolute love of my life and she meant everything and more to me. Everything I did and everything I will do for the rest of my life is for her,” Ashley wrote on the GoFundMe page. “She was beautiful and her smile was contagious, even after a bad day, she always cheered me up. She was taken from this world way too soon.”
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.