Woman who claimed self-defense after stabbing 2 kids faces decades in prison

Doris Espinoza-Rodriguez, a 40-year-old Florida woman, has been convicted of stabbing her boyfriend’s two children and now faces at least 20 years in prison.

A jury found her guilty of two counts of attempted murder, aggravated child abuse with a weapon, and felony battery for the January 16, 2023, attack on a 14-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl inside an Osceola County home.

During her trial, Espinoza-Rodriguez testified in her own defense, claiming that the children’s father had ordered them to attack her and that she acted in self-defense.

However, the jury rejected her argument. She will be sentenced on December 9, facing up to 30 years for attempted murder, at least 20 years for felony battery and life for aggravated child abuse.

The violent incident occurred after an argument between Espinoza-Rodriguez and her boyfriend during dinner. Upon returning home, she reportedly expressed suicidal thoughts. When her boyfriend and his children tried to calm her down, she grabbed a knife and threatened to “go out in a bang,” then attacked all three.

Espinoza-Rodriguez stabbed the 14-year-old boy in the shoulder and chest and the 10-year-old girl in her shoulder. Despite his injuries, the boy managed to call 911.

Deputies arrived to find him bleeding as he opened the door. They discovered the girl in a bedroom, lying in a pool of blood from multiple stab wounds. Both children were airlifted to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for life-saving treatment.

The boyfriend, who suffered a hand injury while disarming Espinoza-Rodriguez, showed authorities where he had discarded the knife, a bloodied paring knife.

Sheriff Marcos Lopez praised the 14-year-old boy for intervening during the attack, likely saving his sister’s life.

Lopez also described Espinoza-Rodriguez’s relationship with her boyfriend as “very odd,” noting that it was not a typical romantic relationship. He believed the man was trying to distance himself from Espinoza-Rodriguez, which may have triggered her violent outburst.

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Espinoza-Rodriguez now awaits her sentencing, facing a lengthy prison term for her actions.