Mom faces a slew of charges, including negligent homicide in teen's suicide

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The mother of a 15-year-old boy who died by suicide on Halloween was arrested Thursday, Nov. 14, on 21 charges in connection with his death, Metro Nashville police said.

MNPD reports that Tabitha Ward, 34, lost custody of her two sons (the 15-year-old and his 14-year-old brother) in May, but reportedly refused to cooperate with the Department of Children’s Service and told the boys to fleeing custody.

However, Ward signed DCS documents agreeing that she would not house the boys, who have since been listed as runaways. MNPD said six guns were recovered from her home on Cross Timbers Drive the night of the suicide, including the gun police say was used in the suicide.

“Ward has prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms,” MNPD said. “Additionally, the investigation revealed that Ward not only owned multiple firearms, but that the week prior to her son’s suicide, she taught the boys how to shoot guns in the woods.”

Police added that Ward’s roommate told detectives that after finding her son with a gunshot wound in his room, Ward transferred a backpack containing all six weapons to the roommate’s bedroom before first responders arrived. The teen was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

Ward is charged with negligent homicide, in addition to multiple counts of tampering with evidence, possession of a weapon, aggravated child endangerment, custodial interference, harboring runaways and contributing to the delinquency of minors. She remains jailed on $116,000 bond.