Murder, Mystery & Makeup: “No one could hear them scream.” The Babysitter from Hell - Christine Falling

Podcast Information:

• Title: Murder, Mystery & Makeup
• Host/Author: Audioboom Studios (Bailey Sarian)
• Episode: “No one could hear them scream.” The Babysitter from Hell - Christine Falling
• Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," host Bailey Sarian delves into the chilling case of Christine Falling, a babysitter whose sinister actions led to the deaths of multiple infants and an elderly man between 1980 and 1982. Balancing her passion for true crime and makeup artistry, Bailey presents an in-depth narrative that uncovers the dark history behind Falling's life and crimes.

Early Life and Troubled Upbringing

Christine Laverne Slaughter, later known as Christine Falling, was born in 1963 in Perry, Florida. Her early life was marred by instability and abuse, which set the stage for her later criminal behavior.

• Parental Neglect: Christine's mother, Anne, was only 16 at her birth and already had another daughter, Carol. Christine's father, Thomas Slaughter, a 65-year-old woodsman, was known for his violent and inattentive behavior. Anne frequently disappeared for months, leaving Christine and her siblings in the care of an abusive father who favored his youngest son, Earl.

  Bailey Sarian notes:

  "Thomas was 65 and a 16-year-old. Wow."
  (00:02)

• Adoption and Further Abuse: At four years old, due to the family's inability to care for her, Christine and her sister Carol were adopted by the Falling family, a religious household. The twin sisters endured severe physical and sexual abuse from their adoptive father, Jesse Falling. Despite Christine and Carol's allegations, Jesse faced minimal consequences, with charges being dropped or ending in hung juries.

Behavioral Issues and Foster Care

Christine's tumultuous upbringing led to significant behavioral problems, complicating her time in foster care.

• Great Oaks Village: After persistent abuse, Christine and Carol were sent to Great Oaks Village, a group foster home in Orlando, Florida. While Christine later mentioned enjoying her time there, caretakers described her as a "habitual liar" and "compulsive thief" who often sought attention through rule-breaking and violent behavior.

  Bailey shares:

  "Christine was known for her violent behavior. She would literally kill animals like cats by dropping them from great heights or strangling them to show her 'love.'"
  (00:15)

• Return to the Fallings: After a year, both sisters were returned to the Falling household amid continued abuse. An especially brutal incident in October 1975 led Christine and Carol to run away, briefly finding refuge with friends before Christine returned to her birth mother, Anne, in Bluntstown, Florida.

Early Adulthood and Initial Crimes

Christine's early adulthood was characterized by further instability and the beginning of her murderous spree.

• Teenage Marriage: At 14, Christine married a man in his 20s, enduring daily beatings. The volatile relationship ended in divorce after six weeks, exacerbating her psychological issues.

• Hospitalizations and Signs of Mental Illness: Over two years, Christine was hospitalized 50 times for various complaints, including hallucinations and false reports of snake bites. These episodes hinted at deeper psychological struggles, possibly hinting at Munchausen syndrome.

Babysitting: A Gateway to Tragedy

Christine began working as a babysitter at 17, a role that would become the dark stage for her crimes.

• First Suspected Incident - Cassidy Johnson: In February 1980, while babysitting two-year-old Cassidy Johnson, Christine reported that Cassidy fell out of her crib and required emergency care. Despite initial praise from hospital staff for her handling of the situation, Cassidy died days later from blunt force trauma to the skull—a fact that should have raised suspicions but did not lead to an investigation.

  Notable Quote:

  "The autopsy listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the skull, which should have raised some flags, but it sure didn't."
  (07:19)

• Subsequent Deaths: Shortly after Cassidy's death, Christine was responsible for the deaths of Jeffrey Davis and Joseph Spring, both of whom died under her care with causes attributed to myocarditis and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respectively. Each case mirrored Cassidy's, with suspicious circumstances overlooked due to systemic failures.

  Bailey reflects:

  "No one could hear them scream. She just went under the radar for quite some time."
  (25:16)

Escalation and Final Victim

Despite several deaths occurring under her supervision, Christine continued babysitting, further deepening her criminal record.

• Travis Coleman's Death: In June 1982, tragic events unfolded when Christine babysat 10-week-old Travis Coleman. After initially surviving a respiratory issue, Travis died after a second incident under her care. This time, an autopsy revealed internal injuries indicative of suffocation, a stark departure from previous cases and finally prompting suspicion.

Investigation and Arrest

The accumulation of suspicious deaths eventually drew the attention of authorities, leading to Christine's downfall.

• Media Exposure: A local newspaper, the Tallahassee Democrat, sought Christine's input on the spate of infant deaths linked to her babysitting. During the interview, Christine disclosed her personal struggles and hinted at underlying reasons for the tragedies.

  Christine stated:

  "The way I look at it, there's some reason God is letting me go through this. If God hadn't wanted me to go through this, then he wouldn't have let it happen."
  (27:49)

• Police Intervention: A vigilant police officer acted on troubling details from the interview, leading to Christine's admission to a psychiatric facility where she confessed to three murders. She claimed auditory hallucinations commanding her to "kill the baby," showcasing her fractured mental state.

  Christine confessed:

  "I heard voices chanting, kill the baby, kill the baby."
  (32:27)

Trial, Conviction, and Imprisonment

Christine faced the consequences of her actions through legal proceedings that concluded her criminal journey.

• Charges and Plea: In July 1982, Christine was charged with first-degree murder for the deaths of Cassidy Johnson, Jennifer Daniels (her niece), and Travis Coleman. In November, further confessions revealed she had killed five children and an elderly man, William Swindle, though she only stood trial for select cases.

  Bailey summarizes:

  "Christine was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, ultimately pleading guilty to three counts in December 1982."
  (32:27)

• Sentencing: Opting for a guilty plea to avoid the death penalty and additional charges, Christine received three concurrent life sentences. She remains incarcerated at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida.

• Parole Attempts: In 2017, Christine became eligible for parole after 25 years of imprisonment. Her application was denied, with no support or advocacy evident at her hearing.

Psychological Profile and Final Reflections

Christine's case reflects a complex interplay of psychological issues and systemic failures.

• Mental Health: Experts believe Christine may have developed Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a condition where an individual causes harm to others to gain attention. Her history of abuse and neglect likely contributed to her mental deterioration.

  Bailey explains:

  "Munchausen syndrome is closely related to Munchausen by proxy... It's hard to gather evidence because dishonesty is common with the illness."
  (32:27)

• Systemic Failures: Multiple deaths under Christine's care went undetected due to overlooked warnings and inadequate investigations, highlighting significant gaps in child welfare and law enforcement protocols of the time.

• Conclusion: Christine Falling's story is a haunting reminder of how personal trauma and systemic negligence can culminate in tragic loss. Her continued imprisonment serves as a testament to the enduring impact of her crimes.

  Final Words by Bailey:

  "That, my friends, is the awful story of Christine Falling and how she got away with bullshit for way too long. Sadly, no one caught on."
  (32:27)

Key Takeaways

• Christine Falling's Troubled Past: Early abuse and neglect significantly influenced her psychological state, leading to criminal behavior.
• Pattern of Child Deaths: Multiple infant deaths under Christine's supervision were initially dismissed, allowing her to continue her harmful actions.
• Legal and Psychological Insights: The case underscores the importance of thorough investigations and understanding complex psychological conditions like Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
• Systemic Lessons: Enhanced child welfare systems and vigilant law enforcement are crucial in preventing similar tragedies.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• 00:02 – Bailey introduces Christine's background:
  "Thomas was 65 and a 16-year-old. Wow."

• 00:15 – On Christine's violent behavior:
  "She would literally kill animals like cats by dropping them from great heights or strangling them to show her 'love.'"

• 07:19 – Discussing missed red flags:
  "The autopsy listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the skull, which should have raised some flags, but it sure didn't."

• 25:16 – Reflecting on Christine's oversight:
  "No one could hear them scream. She just went under the radar for quite some time."

• 27:49 – Christine's interview revelation:
  "The way I look at it, there's some reason God is letting me go through this."

• 32:27 – Summarizing her conviction and lingering fears:
  "That, my friends, is the awful story of Christine Falling and how she got away with bullshit for way too long."

Conclusion

Bailey Sarian's thorough exploration of Christine Falling's heinous crimes offers a compelling narrative that highlights the intersection of personal trauma and systemic failure. Through detailed accounts and poignant reflections, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how Christine's life spiraled into darkness, leaving a trail of sorrow and unanswered questions.

For those intrigued by this episode, "Murder, Mystery & Makeup" continues to deliver enthralling true crime stories blended seamlessly with Bailey Sarian's unique flair for makeup artistry.