Central Texas Weather and News Authority
Home  ·   News  ·   Weather  ·   Sports  ·   Politics  ·   Job Board TV  ·   CarSoup  ·   Food  ·   Calendar  ·   TV  ·   Contact Us  ·   10 Cares  ·   Our Town Texas
National News · Health · Golden Apple · Money · Entertainment · Soldier Stories · OffBeat News · Religion · Gas Prices · Lottery · Blogs · Fun & Games · News Tips
Poll Question
There are currently no active polls at this time.
Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results.
Woman Drowns Newborn, Later Burns Home Save Email Print
41 comments
A | A | A

(July 30, 2008)--An Illinois woman who prosecutors say drowned her new born baby and later burned down her own house is charged with first-degree murder, concealing a homicidal death and arson.

Prosecutors say 23-year-old Cayla Wheeler gave birth to the child on July 2, and then evidently drowned him and hid the body in a hole in a wooded area outside the house.

They then allege that seven days later, she burned down the home she shared with her husband.

While investigating the fire, police learned Wheeler had recently been pregnant, wasn't any longer, but had no child with her.

It was first thought the child was stillborn, but an autopsy determined the baby had been drowned.

During a search of the rubble of the home, the infant’s body was found about 100 yards away.
More Stories
Animal Protection Group Evacuates Pets From Louisiana

Mississippi Governor Tells Some Katrina Victims To Evacuate

Almost Half Of Katrina’s Victims Were Elderly

Gulf Coast Hospitals Brace For Gustav

 Oil Industry Faces First Post-Katrina Test

Airliners Come Close To Midair Collision

Petraeus Submits Preliminary Iraq Report

GM Recalls Nearly A Million Vehicles
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Holly on Aug 12, 2008 at 09:00 PM
To Mac: Who cares if Im wrong? This is simply 'my' opinion. For one, I dont believe in the Bible, I believe there is a God, and when the time comes 'He' will be deciding my fate, not you or anyone else for that matter. I cannot stand when people want to pick and choose quotes they like out of the bible but forget the rest. The Bible states you shall not judge another person, but try reading Lev 11:7 or Ex: 21:7 and 35:2. And dont even get me started on the death sentence Texas has. We(Tx) saw its wrong to kill someone and then we turn around and tell that person..because you killed someone, we're gonna kill you! How is this just? But I do agree that the 'laws of the land' are unjust and need a little bit of work.
Posted by: Just venting Location: Waco on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Just a little picking to begin with: diablo,you show your education which seems to be little. Mac,sorry but Hilter killed himself.Eve if she were drowned then she wouldn't need a tubal. My guess here is this was drug related.No excuse. I may be considered cruel for my thoughts here but I say lock her up, sterilize her so this never happens again, assuming she ever gets out of jail. Put her in general population, & wallpaper her cell with pictures of her child so she has to view her actions daily.Lastly Tom have you read the news lately there are just as many men killing children as are women, we are in a sick society. Depression? Next time you go out pick out a depressed mother, for the most part it is invisible, assuming one knows they are suffering from it.No excuses for those who kill,they have a price to pay. Eye for an eye?Yes I agree, but not to quickly,make them live with it for awhile. Ask yourselves this as a society what are we doing to prevent things like this from happening
Posted by: Tom Location: Waco on Aug 4, 2008 at 05:53 PM
I would like to know what is going on with the weman today leaving their babies putting them in tolet tank in ovens cooking them what in the world is going on Look there is alote of couples who want children if you dont want them give them up so others can have them and give them a good life my God.. If depression is causing this when a woman has a baby put her on the phills fast now not wait I just dont know
Posted by: me Location: tx on Aug 4, 2008 at 04:44 PM
EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH OR A TOOTH.... Quiet putting them in prison I am tryed of paying for them a free life a ease!!!
Posted by: Kayla Location: Belton on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:28 PM
She can pledge..."Guilty by reason of Insanity..." OF COURSE SHE IS INSANE!! Let's almost drown her, revive her and do it again, but don't kill her just yet. She has the ability to ask for forgiveness and be saved from her sins by the Lord to live eternally in heaven...so I think she should be locked up, allowed to live after experiencing the drowning process, so she can think about how that baby felt. Heaven is too good for her right now.
Posted by: thumps Location: tx on Aug 3, 2008 at 09:05 AM
instead of worring what to do with her we need to worry bout how long they will put her away. at the rates courts are goin they will prob slap her on the wrist and give her probation or something. thats what we need to worry about. this heffer does need to go down tho. she is wrong for what she did. prayers go to the baby. rip.
Posted by: Sad Sad Location: Waco on Aug 1, 2008 at 04:44 PM
This evil person does not deserve any sympathy from anyone including all the holy saints out there. She is a murderer in my eyes and deserves the highest punishment. Drowning her own child and setting the house on fire to cover her tracks - she knew what she was doing. She had the baby and didn't want it!
Posted by: get real Location: texas on Aug 1, 2008 at 04:07 PM
THE BIBLE SAYS TO OBEY THE LAWS OF THE LAND.
Posted by: Mac Location: TX on Aug 1, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Holly: What if your wrong? With that type of thinking, why have a court system and law enforcement. Just let "he" handle it.
Posted by: Sam Bam Location: TX on Aug 1, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Anonymous: I agree with Mac. Get a life and try to help people instead passing your ignorants around.
Posted by: Jessica Location: China Spring on Aug 1, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Sandi - - Honey - - Just say your prayer and walk away, and let go of your anger. Don't just read part of the Bible, read the WHOLE Book. While you are catching up, Bob and the rest of us want to protect the children. What is wrong with people? It is not always about your interpretation of the Bible, sometimes it has to do with what is right and what is wrong.
Posted by: Christian Mother of Three Location: Temple on Aug 1, 2008 at 08:54 AM
To Holly: A chemical imbalance that causes you to kill your child would be considered insane in my book and I'm CERTAIN she would plead "not guilty by reason of insanity." That's why I included insane in my post, to cover people who are not in their right minds. I know it's God's place to judge, and he will. Only he knows what her fate will be but there's a good chance it will be hell. In my opinion, and that's all it is, she should have to pay severely for what she did to that poor defenseless baby. And to El Diablo: that was actually funny, lol!! But seriously, it's not always religious people. I would hope you know that and are simply posting to be funny.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 1, 2008 at 08:20 AM
MAC...YOU'RE RIDICULOUS!!!! GET A LIFE!
Posted by: JustMeThinking Location: Central Texas on Jul 31, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Where was the husband during the seven days after the baby was born? Did he notice his wife had given birth to their child? Where did he think she had taken that baby? This case sounds like there is much more to it and I bet we will hear more before all is said and done!
Posted by: El Diablo Location: Hell on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Preacher's wife found in freezer. (Rest In Pieces)
Posted by: Mac Location: TX on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Sandi: Thinking about taking out a monster is equal to actually murdering a human is ridiculous. You religious self center hypocrites are so far out of it. Who says that taking out these monsters is wrong. God or your own made religion. I know my God gets ready to speak he doesn't need an interpreter. If it wasn't for people like Carrie and Bob you wouldn't have the ability to pray. If someone breaks in your house to rob and kill you, go ahead and pray for them. I will introduce them to Smith & Wesson. Maybe, the world should have prayed for Hitler instead of taking him out! After all, "two wrongs don't make a right".
Posted by: The Patriot Location: Texas on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:05 PM
To Just sayin is all ... I second that!
Posted by: Holly on Jul 31, 2008 at 04:56 PM
To Christian Mother of Three: Doesn't it state in the Bible that man shall not judge another man..? Isnt it up to God to decide who is "evil" or "insane"? Could it not be she had a chemical imbalance and just "go off her rocker"? Now before everyone goes off on me..I am not saying what she did was right or called for. To me..it is wrong and a horrible thing to do. But I cannot set judgement on her or say shes going to hell for this. When the time comes He will decide for us. This is just one part of the story.
Posted by: EVE Location: Waco on Jul 31, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Sombody please drown this B&^%h and tie her tubes so nomore babies have to suffer.
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Jul 31, 2008 at 01:55 PM
To Christian Mother of Three. Im not the most religious person out there but I just have one thing to say about your statement. Amen.
Posted by: susiebw Location: Kempner on Jul 31, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Put her away for life, she took the baby's life. Horrible monster!
Posted by: Christian Mother of Three Location: Temple on Jul 31, 2008 at 12:50 PM
El Diablo: I'm a Christian and there are definitely some people who take it too far, but there are PLENTY of non-believers doing the same thing. If you kill a child you are INSANE or EVIL, regardless of whether or not you try to hide behind God to justify it. There is no excuse for ANYONE harming a child. Don't make it about religion, it's about evil and they will secure themselves a special place in hell.
Posted by: Sandi Location: Waco on Jul 31, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Hey Carrie, it's sad, it really is. Two wrongs don't make a right. Say a prayer and let God handle it and your frustration and anger with this as well. If you were given the opportunity to kill this woman would you step up and do it? If you did it wouldn't make you any better than her, because you took a life, too.
Posted by: Texas Location: Temple on Jul 31, 2008 at 11:49 AM
They said she drowned the baby put it in a hole.And then seven day later burned the house down that she shared with her husband didn't he notice she was not pregent. I hope the husband get charged with something.
Posted by: El Diablo Location: Hell on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:19 AM
A lot of these cases involve ultra-religious Christians who think God is telling them to save their children from the world. (Or so I hear.)
Posted by: Texan Location: Texas on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:03 AM
There are so many things that I question about Mrs. Wheeler from this story. I wouldn't know where to start, but what I would like to say is that anyone, who harms a child, should be punished to the fullest extent. These stories of babies and children being murdered are just too much. Where is the humanity in this world?? It's not human nature to do these kinds of things...it's the nature of beasts. Bless this baby's soul and may he rest in peace with his Lord.
Posted by: Carrie Location: Killeen on Jul 31, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Hey Sandi, can you honestly say that you didn't have the same thought running through your head?? I too agree with Bob, an eye for an eye!!
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:56 AM
God not withstanding. Our judical system is a joke. Two wrongs dont make a right? Well whatever system we are using isnt working. We need swifter stronger punishment. This lady needs to be drowned. You shoot someone....firing squad. You beat someone....get a bat.
Posted by: Sabrina Location: Killeen on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Right on the money Kenneth!!!
Posted by: Kenneth Location: Waco on Jul 30, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Please people. No bullet. That is quick. Drown her. Let her know the feeling of being unable to breath...
Posted by: Lynda on Jul 30, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Bob-Do the honor!
Posted by: Waco Location: anon on Jul 30, 2008 at 04:41 PM
What a demented woman. There are soo many people out there that can't even have children and then a low-life like this kills her NEWBORN. How in the world could you do something like that? You said it Bob- march her out that back door.
Posted by: mayra Location: waco on Jul 30, 2008 at 04:40 PM
omg!! how could a mother do that 2 her new born baby.. poor baby!! God rest his soul. I agree with BoB!!
Posted by: Nathali Location: Waco on Jul 30, 2008 at 04:33 PM
I agree with Bob. Why do people do these things to little innocent baby?
Posted by: Sandi Location: Waco on Jul 30, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Bob, you aren't any better wanting to kill her. Two wrongs don't make a right. Say a prayer and let go of the anger. God said vengence is His and it is a sin to hold onto that anger and not let it go for God to handle.
Posted by: Tamara Location: Waco on Jul 30, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Sad, sad, sad that is all I can say right now!
Posted by: Sharon Location: New England on Jul 30, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Bob - you said it all brother!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 30, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Bob - you said it all....
Posted by: Shocked! Location: Waco on Jul 30, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Has the world gone nuts?! I think it has. Poor, Poor baby. God rest his soul. Amen
Posted by: Bob Location: Belton on Jul 30, 2008 at 12:19 PM
No trial needed here, walk her out in the wooded area behind her house and give her a bullet...
AP Video
 
Home - News - Weather - Sports - Politics - Job Board TV - CarSoup - Food - Calendar - TV - Contact Us - 10 Cares - Our Town Texas -
Dot Com Daily - KWTX To Go - Desktop Alert - Fun & Games - Green Page -
Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - EEO Statement - FCC Form 388
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2008 - Designed and Powered by Clickability