Debra Tuggle

Serial Killer

Debra Sue Tuggle: A Chilling Case

Overview

Debra Sue Tuggle, a former mental patient from Little Rock, Arkansas, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1984. Her case is a haunting example of systemic failures that allowed her to evade justice for years. Between 1974 and 1982, Tuggle was responsible for the deaths of multiple children, including her own and her fiancé's daughter. Despite suspicions and investigations, she was only convicted for one of these crimes.

Crimes and Victims

Tuggle's crimes spanned nearly a decade, with her victims being young children. Below are the known victims, their ages, and the circumstances of their deaths:

• Thomas Lee Bates (2 months old): Suffocated in 1974.
• William Earl Henry (21 months old): Suffocated in 1974.
• Ronald Earl Johnson (9 months old): Suffocated in 1976.
• Tomekia Shenee Paxton (2 years old): Drowned in 1982.

Legal Proceedings

Tuggle was arrested in March 1984 and charged with multiple counts of murder. However, due to insufficient evidence, she was only convicted for the drowning of Tomekia Shenee Paxton. She was sentenced to ten years in prison and released in 1994. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Thomas Bates Age: (2)

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Rock A Bye Babies-Debra Tuggle by The Coroner's Report

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