Plea deal in the works for mom of twins found dead after she jumped off I-95
The mother whose 3-year-old twins were found dead in her car after she jumped from an overpass on Interstate 95 is trying to resolve the case, her attorneys said in a Tuesday morning hearing.
Shirlene Alcime, 44, is charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter of a child in connection to the deaths of 3-year-old twins Milendhere and Milendijhit Cadet Napoleon. A hearing for the possible plea is set for Aug. 12.
If Alcime doesn’t reach a plea agreement, she will head to trial on Sept. 22, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Ellen Sue Venzer said. The judge had previously set Alcime’s trial for May.
Alcime has been jailed since Feb. 2, 2024, when the twins were found lifeless in the back seat of her Toyota Highlander at the Golden Glades interchange, according to police. The mother had leapt from an overpass but survived. She was hospitalized due to her injuries.
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The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ruled the twins’ deaths a homicide — by unspecified means, according to police. The agency has not divulged details about their deaths, citing The Rex and Brody Act, which prevents public access to autopsy photos and reports of minors killed through domestic violence.
No visible wounds were found on the children, according to police. And in the two years since their deaths, no one has publicly said how they died. Alcime, however, did tell investigators that she didn’t give her children anything that would cause them to foam at the mouth, which is how they were found in the car.
Planned to kill the kids — and herself
Alcime told police she planned a murder-suicide because of her financial woes, according to investigators. She also said she considered tossing the twins before she jumped. A tow-truck driver told police he performed CPR on Alcime’s son and told Alcime, who was near the vehicle, to begin CPR on her daughter.
But when police lights and sirens approached, Alcime instead walked over to a barrier wall and jumped over. She landed on the Tri-Rail tracks.
At the time of the killings, the twins’ father, Milson Cadet, told the Miami Herald he was heartbroken and wanted answers.
“Justice will have to do its work,” Cadet said in Creole. “... I just want to definitely know what happened. I just want to know what happened.”
If you or someone you know is thinking about self-harm, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988. It’s available 24/7.
