Brevard County mom arrested for killing newborn twins pleads guilty, sentenced to 50 years

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Brevard County woman arrested for the deaths of her newborn twins has accepted a plea deal.

Rachael Lynn Thomas, now 33, was taken into custody in April 2018, a day after the two infants were found dead in their West Melbourne home.

READ: State attorney suggests police academies review Brevard County deputy-involved shooting investigation

Thomas had called 911 and told investigators she’d given birth on a toilet, and that the twins later died.

An autopsy revealed that their injuries were not consistent with her story. Investigators determined Thomas had actually beaten and strangled the newborns.

Thomas was initially charged with eight counts, including two counts each of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

She accepted a plea deal Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and tampering with evidence.

READ: ‘We refuse to remain silent’: Lawsuit calls for DOJ investigation into Brevard County Sheriff’s Office

Thomas was sentenced to 50 years in prison for each murder charge and 30 years for each child abuse charge, all to be served concurrently with credit for the three years she served while awaiting trial.

According to the State Attorney’s Office for Brevard and Seminole Counties, the deal was reached after prosecutors agreed to drop a first-degree premeditated murder charge that carried a potential death sentence.

Cox Media Group