‘You Got to Die’: Florida Mom Accused of Killing Children’s Father at Day Care
STARKE, FL — A Florida woman is facing first-degree murder and multiple other charges after allegedly shooting and killing the father of her children during a horrifying broad-daylight attack at a local day care, according to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office.
Mindy Osteen, 34, was arrested on Friday after allegedly ambushing Christopher Jones, the father of her children, while he was picking them up from Auntie Lili’s Daycare in Starke, a small town about 45 miles southwest of Jacksonville.
According to her arrest report, Osteen approached Jones as he was placing the children in his vehicle and opened fire with a 9 mm Arex Delta handgun concealed in a backpack. The incident was captured on day care surveillance footage and occurred in front of at least six other children and two employees.
Witnesses told police that Jones was loading car seats into his vehicle when Osteen appeared. The arrest report states:
“[Jones] puts in the car seats in the back seat of his vehicle as Mindy follows and watches. Christopher is sitting in the driver’s seat with the driver door opened. Mindy walks directly up to Christopher and fires three shots as she backs up slightly. She then walks back up to Christopher and fires two more shots. Christopher can be heard screaming.”
According to the report, Osteen made disturbing statements during the attack, allegedly yelling “You got to die” and “Please, let the monster die” as she fired.
Jones, gravely wounded, was transported to a local hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
When deputies arrived at the scene, Osteen did not flee and allegedly identified herself as the shooter.
“I’m right here y’all,” she reportedly told responding deputies. “I done it in self-defense.”
The nature of the alleged self-defense claim remains unclear, and authorities have not yet detailed any previous history of domestic disputes or legal proceedings between the two.
During or after the shooting, Osteen also allegedly said, “Chris, you can’t kill [redacted],” to which Jones replied, “I’m not killing nobody.” The redacted name is presumed to be one of their children, though the affidavit has withheld specific identities for legal reasons.
Osteen is currently being held without bond at the Bradford County Jail and is facing charges that include:
- First-degree murder
- Cruelty toward a child
- Possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (if applicable)
- Larceny
The incident has deeply shaken the small community of Starke, especially those connected to Auntie Lili’s Daycare, where the violence took place in front of numerous young children.
Authorities say the children who witnessed the shooting, including the couple’s own, are receiving support from crisis counselors and child protective services.
Local residents expressed shock at the incident, which unfolded in what is typically a quiet neighborhood. One parent, whose child was enrolled at the center, called the shooting “absolutely terrifying.”
The motive behind the attack remains under investigation. Police have not disclosed whether there was a restraining order, custody dispute, or prior record of domestic violence.
Osteen is expected to be formally arraigned in the coming weeks. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek the death penalty, though first-degree murder charges in Florida carry that potential.
As the case moves forward, authorities and legal experts emphasize that Osteen is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, they also highlight the trauma endured by the young witnesses, which will likely play a significant role in the prosecution’s case.
The investigation is ongoing.
