Crime House Daily — First Watch: Wrong Door, Deadly Encounter & a Florida Family’s Horror Pact
Host: Katie Ring
Release Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This First Watch episode of Crime House Daily, hosted by Katie Ring, features deep dives into two unfolding true crime cases:

1. The Tragic Killing of Maria Cotto: A beloved New York social worker who was fatally attacked after accidentally knocking on the wrong door during a routine home visit.
2. The Bates Family Suicide Pact: A disturbing case out of Florida where a family's desperation and mental health struggles allegedly led parents to involve their disabled son in a violent suicide pact.

Katie delivers updates, context, and details on both cases, examining themes of vulnerability, mental health, systemic failure, and the toll that crime and tragedy have on victims and communities.

Case 1: The Maria Cotto Wrong Door Killing

[00:48] — Case Introduction

• Victim: Maria Cotto, 56-year-old social worker from Westchester County, NY.
• On May 14, 2024, Maria was attacked and fatally injured after mistakenly knocking on the wrong door during a client visit in Peekskill.
• Attacker: Haseem Jenkins, 31, was under the influence of PCP, leading to violent, erratic behavior.

“The only thing the victim did was accidentally knock on the wrong door and her life was brutally taken from her.”
— Katie Ring [00:48]

[02:50] — Background on Maria Cotto

• Maria had worked for the Child Welfare Division for 12 years; recently transferred to housing assistance.
• Remembered by colleagues as joyful, caring, and compassionate to clients and coworkers:
  • “Maria was always happy, laughing all the time and even singing sometimes to lift people’s spirits… She was proudly tone deaf and would belt out songs to her coworkers to celebrate the end of the workday.” [03:41]
  • She supported vulnerable clients personally, e.g., donating clothes to a mother and daughter escaping domestic violence.
• Maria emigrated from El Salvador as a teen; planned to travel after her upcoming retirement.

[05:20] — The Day of the Attack

• On May 14, 2024, Maria went out for lunch with a friend, then continued to her afternoon home visits.
• She mistakenly knocked on Jenkins’ door, which was ajar; Jenkins was inside, extremely high on PCP.
• Jenkins, experiencing hallucinations and paranoia, attacked Maria, believing she was a threat (potentially an eviction officer).
  • “When Maria knocked on Haseem’s door, he immediately flew into a violent rage.” [04:55]

[06:00] — The Attack & 911 Call

• Neighbor Freddy Sanchez opened his door in response to the commotion; Maria dashed inside, called 911.
• Jenkins followed, continued assaulting Maria while 911 operator listened live.
• Police arrived within minutes, found Jenkins still attacking Maria; subdued him with a taser.

[09:22] — Aftermath & Investigation

• Jenkins, after his arrest, alternated between gloating and confusion:

  “My life is over.” — Haseem Jenkins, during interrogation [09:22]

• He denied drug use at first, then admitted to occasional PCP use, blaming a spiked cigarette.

• Jenkins had a prior pending charge for disorderly conduct and history of missing court.

• Maria’s injuries: Severe facial fractures, brain bleed, severed brain stem nerves — ultimately fatal despite weeks in a coma. She passed away on June 19, 2024.

• Her workplace kept a long-standing memorial to honor her.

[11:45] — Legal Proceedings

• Jenkins indicted on:
  • Two counts second degree murder (due to felony murder statutes)
  • Two counts burglary
  • Criminal possession of a weapon (“boots as weapon”)
  • First degree robbery, resisting arrest
• Trial Focus: Determining degree/intent: Murder or manslaughter, influenced by Jenkins’ drug-induced state.
  • Prosecution: Jenkins acted with rage, believing Maria was evicting him.
  • Defense: Claimed he was too intoxicated to form intent.
• Emotional trial featured disturbing audio/bodycam footage; many in the gallery and jury were moved to tears.

[16:10] — Verdict and Reactions

• Verdict (November 5, 2025): Jenkins found guilty of:
  • First-degree manslaughter
  • Second-degree murder
  • Robbery, burglary, weapon possession

“Maria’s death has brought national attention to the dangers social workers face and it sparked a lot of discussion about getting more protection for those in the industry.”
— Katie Ring [16:44]

• Sentencing scheduled for December 11, 2025; Jenkins faces 25 years to life.
• Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) union vows ongoing advocacy for social worker safety:

  “Maria Cotto should be enjoying retirement right now. The only way we can truly honor her memory is by ensuring this never happens again.”
  — CSEA president Mary Sullivan [16:58]

Case 2: The Bates Family Suicide Pact, Florida

[17:20] — Case Introduction

• Subjects: Barbara (59), Neil (64), and their 18-year-old son (unnamed due to disability).
• Incident occurred November 3, 2025, in Lehigh Acres, FL.
• Both parents and son survived after an attempted family suicide pact failed and first responders arrived in time.

[18:00] — Background

• Son suffers from significant physical and developmental disabilities, withdrawn from school at fifth grade, homeschooled without structure.
• Family had declining mental health, struggled with addiction, and mounting financial crises.
  • Recent eviction notice compounded stress.
• Barbara began expressing suicidal ideation; Neil confessed similar feelings, leading to discussion and planning of a suicide pact, purportedly “to spare the family homelessness.”

[19:06] — The Suicide Pact and Attempt

• Barbara initially tried to buy a gun but was deterred by pawn shop waiting period.
• On November 3rd, bought sleeping pills and prepared a “last meal.”
• Family watched a movie together (“The Long Walk,” Stephen King adaptation), then attempted suicide in the parents’ bedroom using sleeping pills and a box cutter.
  • Both parents physically harmed themselves and their son.
  • Barbara stabbed her son, who immediately regretted participating but lost consciousness.
  • After waiting to ensure they were near death, Barbara called 911 so the family dog wouldn’t be left alone.

[20:35] — Rescue, Charges, and Investigation

• Police responded to Barbara’s 911 call and found all three alive; rushed to hospital where all survived.
• Barbara’s confession: Admitted to the acts, “but showed no remorse.” [20:57]
• Neil’s statement: Contradicted Barbara, blaming their son, but police determined he fabricated details; son’s condition precluded meaningful consent.
• Charges filed:
  • Neil: Criminal attempt to commit a life felony and aggravated abuse of a disabled adult.
  • Barbara: Two counts first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated abuse of a disabled adult.
  • Both held without bond; court date pending.

[22:55] — Community & Future Prospects

• Family friend Autumn described widespread shock, noting that while eviction stress was known, “no one could have imagined they would resort to this.”
• UK-based relatives working to arrange for the son’s care and a new future abroad after his recovery.

“Friends and family are still reeling from the shock… They’re coordinating… to figure out how to bring the Bates son overseas once he recovers. Once there, they hope to give him the life he deserves.”
— Katie Ring (paraphrasing Autumn) [22:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Maria was always happy, laughing all the time and even singing sometimes to lift people’s spirits.”
  — [03:41] Katie Ring, on Maria’s legacy

• “Why would my own family do that to me? My life is over.”
  — [09:22] Haseem Jenkins, to officers during post-arrest questioning

• “The only way we can truly honor her memory is by ensuring this never happens again.”
  — [16:58] CSEA president Mary Sullivan

• “No one could have imagined they would resort to this.”
  — [22:55] Friend of Bates family, Autumn

Important Timestamps

• 00:48: Introduction of both cases
• 02:50–07:23: Life and attack of Maria Cotto
• 09:22–16:44: Legal, personal, and systemic responses to Maria’s death
• 17:20–22:55: Timeline, motives, and aftermath of Bates family suicide pact
• 23:43: Host invites listener feedback and closes the episode

Themes & Final Remarks

The episode unpacks two harrowing stories that highlight the vulnerability of individuals on society’s front lines—social workers, disabled adults, and struggling families. Katie’s empathetic narration foregrounds the human impact, exposes systemic cracks, and underscores the importance of both advocacy and vigilance.

For ongoing updates, listeners are encouraged to follow Crime House Daily on their platform of choice and on social media.