DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A pregnant South Carolina woman charged with attempted murder after she drove her car into the ocean with her three children inside will be allowed to receive in-hospital psychiatric care until a doctor says she is fit to return to jail, according to an agreement announced Tuesday.
Ebony Wilkerson, 32, earlier this month drove her minivan into the surf off Daytona Beach, Fla., and bystanders and officers helped pull her and her children — ages 3, 9, and 10 — from inside as it was almost submerged. According to a charging affidavit, one of her children told detectives that ‘‘Mom tried to kill us.’’
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Wilkerson’s hospital treatment started about two weeks ago and includes group therapy sessions, said her public defender, Jim Purdy. She had been in isolation, but now will be allowed the recreational exercise time. ‘‘Now she can at least have some contact with other people,’’ Purdy said.
Wilkerson’s defense attorneys agreed to withdraw a request to reduce her $1.2 million bond on three attempted murder and three child abuse charges, all felonies. They can refile it later.