Podcast Summary: Going West: True Crime – "The Babysitter from Hell" (Episode 516)

Introduction to the Case

In Episode 516 of Going West: True Crime, hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman delve deep into the chilling story of Christine Slaughter, infamously known as "Christina Falling" or the "Babysitter from Hell." Released on July 1, 2025, this episode uncovers the haunting series of child deaths in Florida during the early 1980s, initially dismissed as medical anomalies but later revealed to be the work of a troubled young woman.

Early Life of Christine Slaughter

Christine Slaughter was born on March 12, 1963, in Perry, Florida. Her early life was marred by instability and abuse. As Daphne notes, "Christine's mother was only 16 when she was born and she joined an older sister named Carol. They allegedly did not spend much if any time around their father, but did find a father figure in an elderly man named Tom Slaughter who worked at a local junkyard" (05:16). This relationship was deeply problematic, with reports suggesting that Tom Slaughter was Christine's biological father, leading to severe emotional and physical abuse.

By age three, Christine and her sister Carol were adopted by Dolly and Jessie Falling. However, the Falling household was far from nurturing. Heath describes Dolly and Jessie as "absolute losers" who failed to provide a stable home, further contributing to Christine's troubled upbringing (07:03).

Onset of Child Deaths

Christine’s childhood trauma severely impacted her psychological development. Diagnosed with epilepsy and subjected to strong medications from a young age, Christine struggled with low IQ and difficulty forming connections. As Daphne explains, "Christine developed somewhat of a fantasy life, longing to be famous and accepted" (08:20). This yearning for attention became a dark coping mechanism.

Her first known incident occurred on February 25, 1980, when 16-year-old Christine was babysitting 2-year-old Cassidy Mae Marie Johnson, nicknamed Muffin. Christine claimed Cassidy fell from her crib, leading to a coma and eventual death from blunt force trauma. Dr. Robert Boddy suspected foul play and left a note for the police, but tragically, it was lost (19:00).

Community Reaction and Investigation

The initial deaths of Cassidy Johnson, followed by Jeffrey Michael Davis and Joseph "Joe Boy" Spring, were dismissed as medical issues like myocarditis and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Despite these suspicious deaths occurring within Christine’s care, authorities failed to connect the dots due to the lack of a centralized police database and limited investigative resources (23:24).

As more children died under her supervision, suspicions grew. Jennifer Daniels, girlfriend Lisa Coleman’s daughter, fell victim in July 1981, further alarming the community. Despite mounting evidence, health officials like Dr. William Hill did not act decisively, fearing unnecessary stigma against Christine (33:46).

Further Crimes and Escalation

Christine's pattern of befriending families in need of childcare led to more tragedies. In January 1982, she was hired by Linda and Richard Harris in Ohio to watch their six-month-old daughter, Pokey. While Pokey survived, Christine's subsequent disclosure of her past led to her dismissal. Her need for attention drove her to manipulate and deceive more families, culminating in the murder of 8-month-old Travis Coleman on July 3, 1982 (44:03).

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Dr. Joseph Seppala, a medical examiner in Panama City, Florida, finally connected the pattern of deaths to Christine. On July 12, 1982, Christine was admitted to Goodwood Manor for psychiatric assessment, where she admitted to feeling suicidal but withheld details about the deaths. Eventually, on July 22, 1982, she was arrested and charged with the murders of Cassidy Johnson and Travis Coleman, with hopes to link her to additional deaths (46:59).

During her interrogation, Christine nonchalantly confessed, stating, "I choked her until she quit breathing and she had turned purple" (49:22). Her motives were disturbingly vague, often citing random frustration or an inexplicable urge to kill.

Conclusion and Reflection

Christine Slaughter's trial revealed a complex interplay of childhood abuse, psychological trauma, and a desperate need for attention that led her to commit heinous acts against innocent children. Faced with a plea deal, she accepted life sentences for three murders, effectively ending her immediate threat to society. As Daphne poignantly reflects, "This is truly such a devastating story about all of these innocent children who lost their lives for no freaking reason" (57:45).

The episode concludes with a somber reminder of the failures in the system that allowed Christine's crimes to go unnoticed for so long, emphasizing the importance of vigilant community and law enforcement practices in preventing such tragedies.

Notable Quotes:

• Daphne Woolsoncroft [(05:17)]: "Was born to a teen mother and an absentee father."
• Heath Merryman [(24:21)]: "It's abuse."
• Daphne Woolsoncroft [(49:35)]: "Like, bitch, what are you talking about?"
• Heath Merryman [(50:39)]: "She's just like... there's no explanation for it."
• Christine Slaughter [(49:35)]: "I choked her until she quit breathing and she had turned purple."

This comprehensive exploration by Daphne and Heath not only uncovers the tragic and horrifying actions of Christine Slaughter but also highlights the systemic oversights that allowed such a series of murders to occur. Through detailed narration and insightful analysis, Going West: True Crime offers listeners a gripping and poignant examination of this true crime case.