Mom Allegedly Slit Throats of Husband, Son in Failed Suicide Pact — But Dad Tried to Claim Son with Disabilities Planned It By Samira Asma-Sadeque

A Florida couple are under arrest after allegedly trying to kill themselves and their adult son in a suicide pact prompted by an eviction threat.

Police responding to a 911 call in Lehigh Acres, Fla., on Nov. 3 found three people who had sustained injuries from a suicide attempt, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement last week.

All three of them survived.

The caller was identified as 59-year-old Barbara Bates, who police say first cut the other two family members as part of an apparent suicide attempt, then waited about 40 minutes before slashing herself and calling police.

Bates was arrested on several charges, including attempted murder.

Two days later, her husband Neil Bates was also arrested in connection with the incident, according to a probable cause statement obtained by PEOPLE.

During the investigation, the couple’s son — who police say has “overt developmental disabilities” — told officers his parents said the alleged suicide pact was because the family was about to be evicted, according to Barbara’s probable cause report, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

Barbara allegedly told police that on the day of the incident, she picked the dystopian horror movie The Long Walk and a steak meal as part of their last family activity, per the report.

As the movie went on, Neil consumed alcohol and their son took sleep medication, she said, adding they then went to a bedroom together to fulfill their suicide pact.

The young man alleged to police that in the bedroom, he lay next to Neil, who slashed his own wrist as Barbara slit Neil’s throat, per the report.

Barbara then allegedly cut the son’s throat, which made him panic and change his mind about the pact, he told police.

Barbara allegedly admitted to hatching the plan, saying the planned “group suicide” had been discussed for months after she first introduced the idea to her family. She claimed she did not want to live given their impending eviction, job losses and medical issues of their son along with Neil, per the probable cause report.

Meanwhile, following his arrest, Neil allegedly claimed the pact was their son’s idea, per Neil’s probable cause report.

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Barbara has been charged with two counts of attempted felony murder and one count of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.

Neil has been charged with aggravated abuse of a disabled adult and attempt of a criminal act.

Barbara and Neil have both pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, per online court records. Their respective attorneys did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comments.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.