Mom charged with repeatedly stabbing her 7-year-old son in chest

LAKE WALES - A seven-year-old boy is alive after his mother stabbed him multiple times in the chest Tuesday morning, according to the Lake Wales Police.

Maisa Alvarez, 42, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse against her son.

When police responded to a report of a Lake Wales stabbing at 8:15 a.m., they discovered that Alvarez’s son woke up to his mother chaining his hands together while he lied in bed.

Alvarez began to stab her son repeatedly with a steak knife and the child tried to defend himself by blocking the attack with his arms.

"A bloody bedroom, blood on the blankets, blood on the floor [is what police found]," said Deputy Troy Schulze with Lake Wales Police Department.

The boy was flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando in stable condition. He sustained defense wounds on his arms.

Investigators say it’s not clear why Alvarez committed such a violent crime against her child. They did say Alvarez described in detail what she did and said she didn't realize what she was doing until her son started defending himself.

"There was not a tearful face," Schulze said of Alavarez's demeanor.  "There weren't emotions.  It was almost a blank, a lost look on her face."

Alvarez was arrested and booked into Polk County jail.

NEIGHBORS 'SHAKEN' BY STABBING

Neighbors who awoke to the news were shocked.  Most called Maisa a loving mom who would do anything and give anything to her son.

"I am shaken right now," said neighbor Kamila Joseph.  "I can't believe it.  It is crazy."

Joseph told ABC Action News she has gone on trips with the family and there were no signs of trouble.

"They were nice," Joseph added.

In front of the Alvarez house sits a plastic lawn chair. Neighbors say Maisa would always watch her son and other neighborhood children to make sure they were safe.

Speaking predominantly Portuguese, neighbors say they came to call Maisa by the nickname LuLu.  Just a few days ago, a teen knocked on her door to sell raffle tickets.

"She was the dependable neighbor," said the teen.  "You could always go to her for stuff like that."

The boy's father was out of town on business when this stabbing occurred.  Police tell us he is know flying into Orlando to be by his son's side.

Neighbors said the mother and son were alone a lot because the father frequently traveled.

The boy is an only child.

BABYSITTER OFFERS INSIGHT INTO FAMILY

Markesha Bostic, who lives across the street from the Alvarez family, told ABC Action News she babysat the little boy on several occasions. 

Often times, Bostic would watch the boy while Alvarez did work around the house.

"When I would come over and his mom told him not to bother anything he would just ball up or he'd even like kind of tussle with her if she'd take his toys from him," explained Bostic.

Bostic described Alvarez as a good and caring mother who would give her son anything he wanted.

"He was just spoiled. He has two rooms of his own which is his bedroom and his play room.  Every game, every toy, he has everything...a computer," she added.

Bostic believes the stress of giving her child everything and being the best stay at home mom caused Alvarez to snap.

Police are still investigating why this happened.

"Who knows what goes on inside anyone's home when the door is closed at night.  But, it is pretty horrific (to know that it) could happen in the morning when your eyes open," Schulze said.