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Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Miami Herald
18-year-old on first day in group home stabs 81-year-old 113 times, FL cops say
Hours after an 18-year-old moved into a group home, he stabbed his 81-year-old roommate over 100 times, killing him, Florida authorities said. Moses Ojeda had just been released from a two-week mental health hospitalization stay under the Baker Act, his sixth time being detained under the law in 2025, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said May 19. The Baker Act permits the involuntary hospitalization and mental health treatment of individuals deemed to be a threat to themselves or others in Florida. Ojeda's mom found out about the independent living style group home in Bartow and told the management company to hide the knives from her son before he arrived May 17, according to the sheriff. The 18-year-old moved in that evening, but five hours later at around 11:45 p.m., he found the knives, deputies said. He went into the bedroom of sleeping 81-year-old Patrick Benway and started stabbing him, according to the sheriff's office. Benway woke up and tried to fend off the attack, and Ojeda told investigators Benway asked why he was stabbing him, according to Judd. Ojeda is accused of stabbing Benway 113 times. When asked why he stabbed the man so many times, Ojeda said the knife wasn't sharp, according to the sheriff. 'Ojeda told detectives that he did not have any problems with the victim and described him as a good person,' deputies wrote in a news release. Ojeda told deputies he washed the knife and put it back in the butcher block, took off his bloody items and closed Benway's door to make it look like he was just sleeping, then he went to sleep himself, according to the sheriff. The other housemates knew Benway didn't normally eat breakfast, but they realized something was off around lunchtime the next day when he hadn't come out of his room, Judd said. They found him dead about 12 hours after the attack, and Ojeda was identified as the person responsible, according to the sheriff. Ojeda was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. Bartow is a 50-mile drive east from Tampa.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen allegedly stabbed 81-year-old roommate 113 times at assisted living facility after hearing voices telling him to do it
An 18-year-old has been accused of stabbing his 81-year-old roommate to death at an assisted living facility in Florida after he allegedly heard voices in his head telling him to kill him. Moses Ojeda is charged with murder for the killing of Patrick Benway, who suffered 'a violent death,' Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference on Sunday. 'He stabbed the victim 113 times, and when we asked him during the interview, he confessed why he stabbed him 113 times,' Sheriff Judd said. 'He said, 'The knife wasn't very sharp…voices in my head told me to kill him.'" Ojeda had moved into the group home in Bartow managed by ET Home Care a day before the May 18 stabbing of Benway, who was also a resident. 'Moses said that the person he stabbed and killed was a good person,' the sheriff added. 'But he was just told that he heard sounds, voices in his head to kill the victim, and that's what he did.' Ojeda admitted to the authorities that he walked into Benway's room where he was in bed and stabbed him multiple times. He said his roommate never fought back, but instead asked him, 'why would you want to do this to me?' After the deadly attack, Ojeda cleaned the knife and put it back in the kitchen, he told detectives. He then removed his blood-stained clothing and placed it in his laundry basket. Ojeda was arrested the same day and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. He admitted to detectives that he had wanted to kill the man because he was 'already dying' and that he has no regrets. All of the evidence gathered was consistent with the suspect's statements about the stabbing, authorities said in a press release. Prior to the incident, Ojeda had been evaluated for mental health issues and had been involuntarily committed under Florida's Baker Act six times this year. He was then released back into independent living and placed in a shared room with Benway. Ojeda's mother told investigators that she felt unsafe around her son, who has no criminal record, and made arrangements for him at the independent living facility – where she warned the staff to secure sharp objects. It's unclear how Ojeda obtained the knife or whether any staff were present during the incident. The facility has not released a statement but is reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation, FOX35 reported. 'This was a senseless and tragic act of violence,' Judd said. 'Our detectives, forensic investigators, and Bartow Police Department officers worked diligently to take Ojeda into custody and gather evidence to hold him accountable.' Ojeda is currently in Polk County Jail on no bond.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen accused of stabbing 81-year-old roommate more than 100 times at Polk assisted living facility
The Brief A Polk County teen is charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his elderly roommate 113 times at an assisted living facility. The suspect, recently released from a hospital, reportedly heard voices telling him to kill. The case raises serious concerns about mental health oversight and resident safety. BARTOW, Fla. - An 18-year-old man is facing a first-degree murder charge after authorities say he stabbed his 81-year-old roommate more than 100 times inside a Polk County assisted living facility. What we know Eighteen-year-old Moses Ojeda is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 81-year-old Patrick Benway. The attack occurred Sunday inside an independent living facility in Bartow, owned by ET Care. Investigators say Ojeda stabbed Benway 113 times while he slept, then confessed, citing auditory hallucinations as a motive. What we don't know Officials have not confirmed how Ojeda obtained the knife, despite warnings from his mother and reported precautions by staff. It's also unclear whether any staff were present during the incident or how Ojeda's mental health concerns were being managed at the facility prior to the attack. The backstory Ojeda had been evaluated for mental health issues and had been involuntarily committed under Florida's Baker Act six times this year. Despite no prior criminal record, he was released back into independent living and placed in a shared room with Benway. The suspect's mother told investigators that she felt unsafe around her son, so she made arrangements to bring him to the independent living facility. She reportedly warned staff to secure sharp objects — a warning that was allegedly heeded but ultimately ineffective. What they're saying Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference detailing the case and claiming Ojeda confessed to the crime. "He stabbed the victim 113 times, and when we asked him during the interview, he confessed why he stabbed him 113 times. He said, 'The knife wasn't very sharp… voices in my head told me to kill him.'" "Moses said that the person he stabbed and killed was a good person. But he was just told that he heard sounds, voices in his head to kill the victim, and that's what he did," Judd added. Facility staff have not released a public statement but are reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation. What's next Ojeda remains in custody on a charge of first-degree murder. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
