In this episode of Voices Against Filicide, Hope Hooton sits down with North Carolina family law attorney Tiffany Lesnik to discuss coercive control, domestic violence, and protecting children in high-conflict custody cases. Tiffany shares how her faith shapes her work advocating for survivors, explains key warning signs associated with increased lethality risk, and offers practical guidance for creating safety plans and seeking help. Together, they explore the urgent need for greater education within the family court system to better protect children and families.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and guest. Information discussed is based on personal experience, professional expertise, and publicly available sources, which are listed in the episode description where applicable.

TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

Learn more or get involved:
🌿 https://voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com

In this episode of Voices Against Filicide, Hope Hooton discusses the heartbreaking deaths of Austin Davis (10) and Andolan Davis (18 months) following an alleged filicide-suicide in Glendale, Arizona. Through this case, Hope explores the warning signs that often precede these tragedies, including emotional instability, relationship conflict, untreated mental illness, suicidal and homicidal ideation, and access to firearms.

While every case is unique, understanding these lethality risk markers is essential to preventing future child deaths.At Voices Against Filicide, our mission remains the same: to honor the children, educate communities, and advocate for stronger protections so fewer families experience this unimaginable loss.

Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and any guests and are intended for educational and advocacy purposes. Information discussed is based on publicly available news reports, official records, and other reputable sources available at the time of recording.
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy, but information may change as investigations continue. This podcast is not intended to provide legal, medical, or mental health advice.

Sources:
Information for this episode was compiled from publicly available law enforcement statements, official records, and reputable media outlets.
Please refer to the sources cited in this episode for additional information.
Mom kills her two kids in shocking murder-suicide after shooting woman with her husband at a bar
Mom kills her 2 kids, herself after sending 'horrific' texts
Sordid cheating rumors that rocked killer mom's world and drove her to shoot at high school sweetheart husband and his 'lover,' then kill her two sons and herself | Daily Mail Online
Mom kills 2 children after shooting at husband, other woman at bar in murder-suicide: Police - Good Morning America
Arizona advocate pushes for law after mother kills kids amid marital separation | FOX 10 Phoenix
Fundraiser for Jay Froboese by Felicia Queen : Support for Nolan After Tragic Loss
Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (UCR Program) — FBI
Filicide Statistics | Fact-Checked 2026
Tools & Strategies for Assessing Danger or Risk of Lethality


TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

Learn more or get involved:
🌿 https://voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com

TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode, Hope Hooton speaks with Christy Camara about her son Wyland, who was killed at age 10 on March 2, 2020, when his father shot him and then himself. Christy describes the shock of arriving to crime scene tape, being taken to the police station without answers, and later saying goodbye at the hospital. She shares memories of traveling with Wyland and how grief reshaped her identity as a mother into advocacy. Christy explains how a restraining order with a firearm prohibition was not entered into California’s system for over eight months, allowing her ex-husband to legally buy a gun, and how this led to Wyland’s Law, passed in California in October 2025, requiring timely entry and verification. She also discusses her book, website, community birthday events honoring Wyland, and her work with Pierce’s Pledge to educate legal professionals and promote safe firearm storage during custody disputes.


Check out Christy Camara's website here:
Wyland’s Mom



TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode, Hope Hooton speaks with Kathryn Zook, a mental health and substance abuse professional and mother who shares her experience navigating the California family court system after leaving an abusive marriage. Kathryn describes years of custody proceedings in which her documented concerns were reframed as “high conflict,” while her ex-husband allegedly used their son as a weapon and her reports of abuse went nowhere, complicated by conflicts of interest involving his remarriage to a criminal DA in the same courthouse. She recounts the financial strain of legal battles, her son’s trauma-related behavioral struggles, and the turning point when he refused to return to his father at age 11. Kathryn discusses her memoir, “Your Honor, Not My Son’s Keeper,” her faith, and her advocacy for reform, including trauma training mandates for judges and evaluators.

Get your copy here: Your Honor, Not My Son's Keeper by Kathryn Zook
Your Honor, Not My Son's Keeper: 11:44: CADC CHt, Kathryn Zook: 9798902233732: Amazon.com: Books

TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode Hope Hooton sits down with Kitty Mayo, organizer of Georgia Protective Parents, who shares how her stepsons were ordered into the Family Bridges reunification program after abuse allegations shifted from criminal to custody court, despite expert testimony. Mayo describes reunification camps as a for-profit, coercive system involving threats from transport agents, isolation from protective family, propaganda denying abuse, and the use of sealed records and gag orders that block transparency and data. She recounts paying $100,000 for a week-long program, challenges a gag order through appeal, and discusses efforts to pass Georgia legislation to ban these camps, which she says was ultimately blocked by political leaders and divorce attorneys. Mayo urges organizing state-by-state and calls the practice legalized trafficking.

Follow Georgia Protective Parents on Instagram:
(3) Instagram

TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode Hope Hooton interviews Nakesa Sineath, who shares about losing her firstborn son to filicide, when she was 19. Nakesa recounts becoming a teen mom, Amari’s father’s inconsistency and manipulation, and earlier warning signs after Amari returned from his father’s care ill with walking pneumonia. In 2015, after months of no contact, she allowed Amari’s father to have him for two weeks; Amari cried at the handoff, she was prevented from speaking to him, and he was killed before his scheduled return. Nakesa remembers Amari’s gentle, loving personality and gets into the work she has done since to raise awarness and help make change. 

Follow Nakesa Sineath:
Instagram - (2) Instagram
Facebook - (14) Facebook
YouTube - Nakesa Sineath - YouTube

Get your copies here:
The Act Of Filicide: The Amari Barnhill Story: Barnhill, Nakesa: 9781979470988: Amazon.com: Books

Heaven Didn't Wait: Grieving, Surviving & Healing Post The Loss Of A Child: Barnhill, Nakesa: 9781077491656: Amazon.com: Books

BoldJourney:
Reclaiming Voice Through Grief: Nakesa Sineath on Activism, Healing, and Honoring Amari – Bold Journey Magazine

Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode Hope Hooton interviews Nakesa Sineath, who shares about losing her firstborn son to filicide, when she was 19. Nakesa recounts becoming a teen mom, Amari’s father’s inconsistency and manipulation, and earlier warning signs after Amari returned from his father’s care ill with walking pneumonia. In 2015, after months of no contact, she allowed Amari’s father to have him for two weeks; Amari cried at the handoff, she was prevented from speaking to him, and he was killed before his scheduled return. Nakesa remembers Amari’s gentle, loving personality and gets into the work she has done since to raise awarness and help make change. 

Follow Nakesa Sineath:
Instagram - (2) Instagram
Facebook - (14) Facebook
YouTube - Nakesa Sineath - YouTube

Get your copies here:
The Act Of Filicide: The Amari Barnhill Story: Barnhill, Nakesa: 9781979470988: Amazon.com: Books

Heaven Didn't Wait: Grieving, Surviving & Healing Post The Loss Of A Child: Barnhill, Nakesa: 9781077491656: Amazon.com: Books


BoldJourney:
Reclaiming Voice Through Grief: Nakesa Sineath on Activism, Healing, and Honoring Amari – Bold Journey Magazine

Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

This episode covers the April 19, 2026 Shreveport, Louisiana mass filicide in which authorities say 31-year-old Shamar Elkins shot and killed eight children (seven of his own and their cousin), critically injuring two women, while a 13-year-old reportedly escaped; Elkins fled, carjacked a vehicle, and later died after a police pursuit. Hooten frames the case within domestic violence, coercive control, separation risk, and possible mental health deterioration, outlines warning signs and the importance of intervention, notes prior law-enforcement contact involving firearms and that the mother had sought police help, and advocates for stronger protections including Arizona’s proposed Alec and Lydia Act (HB 2995).

TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.

This episode marks the two-year angelversary of Alec and Lydia Mater. In this deeply personal two-part conversation, Hope shares the unimaginable reality of losing her two children and her estranged husband to filicide, while reflecting on the grief, advocacy, and healing that have followed in the years since.

Hope opens up about the darkest moments of her journey and the difficult process of learning how to survive profound loss. She also shares how she transformed tragedy into purpose through public speaking, advocacy work, writing a book, attending events, connecting with other families, and creating Voices Against Filicide.

Over the past two years, Hope has made the choice every single day to continue showing up — not only for Alec and Lydia’s legacy, but for families searching for answers, support, awareness, and change.

Welcome back to Season Three of Voices Against Filicide. Thank you for listening to this incredibly personal and important episode, and for holding space for Hope as she courageously shares her story, her grief, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

This is a two-part episode. Be sure to listen to both parts.





TRIGGER WARNING:
This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.


Connect with Hope Hooton:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hopeinthepain
Website: voicesagainstfilicide.odoo.com 

Support & Subscribe:
If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to amplify the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Voices Against Filicide Merch Shop:
https://momcast-productions.myspreadshop.com/

The Rowan Project:
https://therowanproject.org/

Production Credits:
Written, Researched, and Hosted by: Hope Hooton
Produced & Edited by: Rachel Holloway

A Momcast Production
Voices Against Filicide is a part of Momcast Production LLC.
All content, including but not limited to audio, written materials, and visual assets, are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. © 2024 Momcast Production LLC. All rights reserved.