Arizona Woman Pleads Guilty to Killing Three Young Children – JP

Rachel Henry, a Phoenix woman accused of killing her three young children, has changed her plea to guilty in court.

Court records show that on December 12, Henry pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder as part of a plea agreement.

The tragic incident occurred in January 2020 at a residence near 24th Street and Southern Avenue. Phoenix Police responded to a call reporting the discovery of three deceased children inside the home.

During the investigation, authorities said Henry admitted to smothering the children. She reportedly placed their bodies on a couch to appear as though they were napping. The victims were identified as 3-year-old Zane Henry, 23-month-old Miraya Henry, and 7-month-old Catalaya Rios.

Henry initially entered a not guilty plea in February 2020. Her recent change of plea marks a significant development in this heartbreaking case.

Earlier this month, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D) and Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) moved to reinstate executions after a two-year pause in the state.

The suspension, initiated when both officials took office in 2023, was intended to allow for a comprehensive review of Arizona’s troubled capital punishment system, but Governor Hobbs recently ended the review, citing concerns about its findings and direction.

Hobbs appointed former U.S. Magistrate Judge David Duncan to evaluate Arizona’s execution procedures, focusing on issues such as drug procurement, protocols, and staff training. However, she dismissed Duncan last week, stating that the review faced “repeated challenges” and failed to meet the intended goals.

In a letter, Hobbs criticized Duncan for exceeding the scope of his role, noting that his draft recommendations included the use of firing squads, a method not currently permitted under Arizona law.