Mother Diana Cullom Arrested for First-Degree Murder in Suffocation Death of 4-Year-Old Son

The quiet residential neighborhood of Tanglewood Drive NE in St. Petersburg, Florida, became the scene of a deeply disturbing tragedy when a teenage girl returned home from school to discover her four-year-old brother dead and her mother gravely injured. Authorities allege that the child, Finley Joseph Cullom, was suffocated inside his family’s home, and that his mother, 43-year-old Diana Cullom, is responsible.

The case has drawn widespread attention not only because of the brutality of the alleged crime, but also because of the traumatic circumstances under which it was discovered and the unresolved questions surrounding what led up to it. Police say the incident unfolded in the middle of a weekday afternoon, shattering what had appeared, at least outwardly, to be an ordinary family household with no prior history of police involvement. Investigators are now working to reconstruct the events inside the home, while the community grapples with the emotional weight of a child’s death and a family torn apart.

Discovery of the Child and Initial Police Response

According to St. Petersburg police, the first indication that something was wrong came when Diana Cullom’s 16-year-old daughter arrived home from school on Tuesday afternoon. The teenager, whose name has not been released due to her age, reportedly entered the home and found her mother holding the lifeless body of her four-year-old brother. The shock of that moment prompted an immediate call for emergency assistance.

Officers were dispatched to the residence on Tanglewood Drive NE at approximately 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered a scene that officials later described as harrowing. The young boy was pronounced dead at the scene, and blood was visible on a bed and in multiple areas throughout the house. Early information led investigators to believe that the child may have been stabbed, based on the presence of blood and the discovery of a knife inside the home.

That initial assessment changed following an examination by the medical examiner. Authorities later confirmed that Finley Joseph Cullom did not suffer any stab wounds. Instead, the cause of death was determined to be suffocation. Police have not publicly detailed the precise manner in which the suffocation occurred, but they have stated clearly that the child was strangled or otherwise deprived of air.

While the boy had no stab wounds, Diana Cullom herself did. She was found alive but injured, with what police later described as self-inflicted stab wounds. Emergency medical personnel transported her to Bayfront Hospital, where she was treated for injuries deemed non-life-threatening. Investigators say these wounds were inflicted after the child’s death.

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The discovery left first responders facing not only a violent crime scene, but also the immediate emotional toll on the surviving teenager, who had come home expecting a routine afternoon and instead encountered the aftermath of a killing. Police Chief Anthony Holloway later acknowledged the profound impact such scenes have on officers, especially those who are parents themselves.

Investigation Findings and Charges Against Diana Cullom

As investigators processed the scene, they uncovered additional evidence that would shape the direction of the case. Chief Holloway confirmed during a press briefing that a knife and a handwritten note were found inside the home. While police believe the note was written by Diana Cullom, its contents have not been made public. Authorities have declined to speculate on whether the note explains a motive, expresses intent, or contains other personal reflections, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

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After receiving medical treatment, Cullom was released from the hospital overnight. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, she was taken into police custody. Prosecutors formally charged her with first-degree murder in connection with the death of her son. Under Florida law, a first-degree murder charge indicates that investigators believe the killing was premeditated or involved circumstances that elevate it to the most serious level of homicide.

Police have emphasized that there were no prior calls for service at the Cullom residence. According to Chief Holloway, there was no documented history of domestic noted disturbances, wellness checks, or other incidents that might have signaled escalating danger inside the household. This absence of prior police involvement has added to the sense of shock surrounding the case, as neighbors and authorities alike struggle to understand how such violence could occur without warning signs that reached law enforcement.

The children’s father was not present at the home at the time of the incident. Police say he was later notified and has since spoken with investigators. Officials have not indicated that he is a suspect or that he had any involvement in the events leading up to the child’s death. His role, at this stage, appears limited to that of a grieving parent cooperating with authorities.

Investigators are now tasked with piecing together the timeline of events inside the home on the day of the killing. This includes determining when the child was suffocated, what occurred in the hours beforehand, and what prompted Cullom’s alleged actions. The presence of a note suggests forethought, but without its contents being released, the public remains largely in the dark about the motive or mental state attributed to the accused.

Community Impact and Unanswered Questions

Beyond the legal proceedings, the case has cast a heavy pall over the surrounding community. Chief Holloway spoke candidly about the emotional toll on everyone involved, from the responding officers to the neighbors who suddenly found their street at the center of a homicide investigation. He highlighted the particularly traumatic aspect of the discovery being made by a teenage sibling, a detail that has resonated strongly with the public.

The neighborhood, described by residents as generally quiet, was transformed into a hub of police activity as investigators worked through the evening and into the night. For many in the area, the knowledge that such a crime occurred inside a family home has sparked fear, sadness, and a sense of collective grief. While authorities have reassured residents that there is no ongoing threat to public safety, the emotional aftermath is likely to linger.

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At the heart of the case are unresolved questions that investigators have yet to answer publicly. What led to the suffocation of a four-year-old child by his own mother? Were there underlying mental health struggles, personal crises, or external pressures that contributed to the alleged act? And could anything have been done to prevent the tragedy?

Police have stated that they are examining all possible factors, including Cullom’s background, her relationships, and any recent events that may have played a role. The absence of prior 911 calls does not rule out private struggles or unreported issues within the household, and investigators often look beyond official records to understand the broader context of such cases.

For now, Diana Cullom remains in custody facing a first-degree murder charge, and the legal process will determine her fate. The case is expected to move through the court system in the coming months, during which more details may emerge through court filings, hearings, and potential testimony. Until then, much of the narrative remains incomplete.

What is clear is that a young child lost his life under circumstances that have deeply shaken a family and a community. A teenage girl’s life has been irrevocably altered by what she encountered upon returning home from school, and a father has been left to mourn his son while confronting the reality of the charges against the child’s mother. As investigators continue their work, the focus remains on uncovering the full truth of what happened inside that home on Tanglewood Drive and ensuring that justice is pursued through the legal system.