South Carolina mother charged with attempted murder after two young children stabbed
Taylor Gosnell, 35, is charged with two counts of attempted murder after her children, aged 6 and 3, were found with about 50 stab wounds between them in Spartanburg County. The 6-year-old may lose fingers or an arm.
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The story, neutrally told
Taylor Gosnell, 35, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder over an attack on her children, aged 6 and 3, at their home in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Fox NewsR “Taylor Gosnell, 35, is charged with two counts of attempted murder after allegedly attacking her children, ages 6 and 3” Read at Fox News ↗ New York PostR “Gosnell was denied bond on two counts of attempted murder” Read at New York Post ↗ The sheriff's office estimated roughly 50 stab wounds between the two children. New York PostR ““Between the two children, we’re estimating that there were approximately 50 stab wounds,”” Read at New York Post ↗ Fox NewsR “Investigators said the children suffered approximately 50 stab wounds between them, including injuries that penetrated to the bone.” Read at Fox News ↗ According to the sheriff's office, the 6-year-old called his grandmother on Sept. 26 to say his mother was not home and the children were hungry. Fox NewsR “told her his mother was not home and that he and his 3-year-old sibling were hungry” Read at Fox News ↗
The grandmother contacted a friend of Gosnell, and the two went to the home, found both children badly hurt and called 911. Fox NewsR “They found both children suffering from severe injuries and immediately dialed 911.” Read at Fox News ↗ Deputies found the home in disarray, and Gosnell returned while they were still there. Fox NewsR “Gosnell returned to the home while deputies were still at the scene, according to the sheriff's office.” Read at Fox News ↗ Authorities said Gosnell was taken to hospital for evaluation, tried to run from the ambulance and had to be restrained, then was medically cleared and released. Fox NewsR “Authorities said Gosnell attempted to run from the ambulance before being transported and had to be restrained.” Read at Fox News ↗
Gosnell asked for an attorney and was not interviewed. Fox NewsR “no interview was conducted after she requested an attorney” Read at Fox News ↗ The solicitor's office told a bond court that some wounds cut to the bone and that the 6-year-old could lose fingers and possibly an arm. New York PostR ““He’s currently facing the possibility of amputation of fingers and possibly an arm due to the severity of the injury sustained,”” Read at New York Post ↗ Arrest warrants cited by Fox News allege the children were struck with a baseball bat and a circular knife with intent to kill. Fox NewsR “The warrants allege Gosnell struck the children with a baseball bat and a circular knife, causing severe injuries, with intent to kill them.” Read at Fox News ↗
Deputies later obtained two more warrants for possession of a weapon during a violent crime. New York PostR “deputies later obtained additional warrants against her for possession of a weapon during a violent crime” Read at New York Post ↗ Fox NewsR “Investigators later obtained two additional warrants charging Gosnell with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.” Read at Fox News ↗ Both children were taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Fox reports they were then moved to Prisma Health Children's Hospital in Greenville for more surgeries, while the New York Post says they are expected to recover. Fox NewsR “transferred to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Greenville, where they remained hospitalized and were expected to undergo additional surgeries” Read at Fox News ↗ New York PostR “are expected to recover” Read at New York Post ↗ The investigation is ongoing, and the charges are allegations. Fox NewsR “The investigation remains active and ongoing.” Read at Fox News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets report the case as a crime story built on sheriff's office and court statements. The New York Post uses lurid language and leads on the stab count and amputation risk. Fox News gives a more detailed, sequential account, from the boy's call to his grandmother through to the charges.
- Emphasis
- Severity of injuries, the stab count, amputation risk and the charges. Fox adds the warrant details and Gosnell's behaviour at the scene.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet gives a motive or any statement from Gosnell or her lawyer. Neither reports any left or centre perspective, because none covered the story. The New York Post leaves out the discovery sequence and hospital transfer that Fox reports.
- Charged language
- “Psycho”“maniac”“unhinged”
- For example
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“A maniac South Carolina mom stabbed her two kids roughly 50 times during an unhinged attack” — New York Post
“A South Carolina boy’s call to his grandmother saying he was hungry led authorities to a home” — Fox News
What every side reports
- Taylor Gosnell, 35, is charged with two counts of attempted murder.
- The children are aged 6 and 3 and were attacked at their Spartanburg County home.
- Authorities estimate about 50 stab wounds between the two children.
- Gosnell was denied bond and faces additional weapons warrants.
- The 6-year-old faces possible amputation.
Where accounts differ
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Timing of the attack
- Right
- The New York Post says the attack happened 'early Saturday morning'; Fox News says it happened overnight and the children were found after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.
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Children's outlook
- Right
- The New York Post says both children are expected to recover; Fox News says both remain hospitalised and face more surgeries.
Taylor Gosnell person
Gosnell is accused and charged. She requested an attorney and was not interviewed. The coverage carries no statement from her.
“no interview was conducted after she requested an attorney” — Fox News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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Alarmist Short, sensational report that labels the accused in its own voice and leads on the stab count and amputation risk.

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Neutral Detailed, attributed account of how the attack was discovered, the warrants and the charges, with 'accused' and 'allegedly' wording.

- 29 Sep 20:48 First New York PostR Psycho South Carolina mom stabs her two kids over 50 times in unhinged attack that leaves one facing amputation
- 30 Sep 21:26 +24h 37m Fox NewsR South Carolina mom accused of knife attack on young children as 6-year-old may lose arm: sheriff's office
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.