Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is seeking the impeachment of Judge Miguel de la O after his controversial acquittal of a mother who drowned her child and stabbed her husband, citing temporary insanity supposedly caused by COVID-19.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced plans to draft articles of impeachment against Judge Miguel de la O, who acquitted Precious Bland, a mother accused of drowning her 15-month-old daughter, on grounds of temporary insanity caused by COVID-19. Bland also stabbed her husband and 16-year-old daughter. The judge’s ruling has sparked outrage, with Uthmeier and Governor Ron DeSantis (R) calling for accountability. 📺 DETAIL: Precious Bland reportedly drowned her daughter Emii in a bathtub, claiming COVID-19 and religious fears were driving her actions. She stabbed her husband when he tried to intervene and also injured her 16-year-old daughter before they escaped. Bland waived her right to a jury trial, leaving the decision solely in the hands of Judge de la O, who accepted the defense’s claim of a psychotic episode triggered by COVID-19. This case marks what Bland’s attorney believes to be the first successful COVID-related insanity defense in the U.S. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “This was a bench trial. It’s time to impeach this judge. My office will be drafting articles of impeachment, and we look forward to working with all legislators who will support.” – Attorney General James Uthmeier 🎯 IMPACT: The case has ignited debate over judicial accountability and the use of COVID-19 as a defense in criminal cases. Governor DeSantis has urged the Florida House to act, signaling potential political ramifications for Judge de la O and broader implications for how similar defenses may be treated in future cases. 📺 FLASHBACK: In past cases, insanity defenses have been highly scrutinized, with courts often requiring institutionalization. However, Bland’s attorney argued against institutionalization, claiming the psychosis was temporary. |
Time for the Florida House to do its duty. https://t.co/UB2zWrh0lJ
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 25, 2026
