PORTLAND, Ore. -- Newly released documents reveal the Tualatin mother that threw her two children from the Sellwood Bridge told investigators she wanted to "end their suffering."
Additional comments from Amanda Stott-Smith were redacted and there was no further explanation. Newschannel 8 obtained the internal state documents from the Department of Human Services through a public records request.
Stott-Smith is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 35 years for throwing her children from the Sellwood Bridge in May of 2009.
Four-year-old Eldon Smith died. His then 7-year-old sister Trinity survived the 75-foot fall.
In the reports, Trinity explains her mother seemed talkative and happy as they drove to go watch fireworks. The seven-year old told investigators "she fell asleep in the car" and "then she woke up and she was in the water." A pair of good samaritans rescued the girl.
Since the tragedy, state child welfare workers have followed Trinity's progress. The reports suggest a case worker has been meeting with her roughly twice a month.
They report she is getting counseling. She appears happy and healthy.
"Trinity seemed to be doing very well and she reported that she really likes school," writes a DHS worker. "She appears to be quite the reader."
