HOMESTEAD, FL – A family dispute turned nearly fatal Wednesday afternoon when a 57-year-old woman allegedly stabbed her daughter-in-law multiple times during an argument witnessed by a young child. Celestine Ward now faces charges of attempted felony murder after authorities say she tried to kill her daughter-in-law inside a family home on Southwest Fourth Avenue.
According to an arrest report from the Homestead Police Department, officers were dispatched around 3:40 p.m. following a 911 call reporting a stabbing. Upon arrival at the residence, an officer knocked on the front door, which was answered by Ward. Just beyond her, the officer saw a gruesome scene — a woman slumped on the living room floor in a pool of blood, propped against a cot bed.
The unidentified victim, later revealed to be Ward’s daughter-in-law, was airlifted in critical condition to Jackson South Medical Center for emergency treatment. Detectives say her wounds were extensive, the result of multiple stab injuries inflicted in the heat of a domestic argument.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the incident is that it reportedly unfolded in front of a child — the daughter of the victim and her husband. During an interview with authorities, the young girl recounted the chain of events, stating that her parents had been arguing earlier in the day. After her father left the home, tensions escalated between her mother and grandmother.
That’s when, according to the child, the violence began. “Grandma started to kill Mami with the knife,” the child told detectives. She then pointed officers to the knife used in the attack, which was later found hidden under a bed in the home.
In a separate interview at the hospital, the victim confirmed that she and Ward had been drinking together earlier in the day at a Chili’s Grill & Bar. Although she could not recall what sparked the argument, she remembered Ward charging at her twice — the second time wielding a knife and stabbing her multiple times.
Despite the victim’s critical injuries and the child’s eye-witness account, Ward claimed the stabbing was an act of self-defense. She told officers that her daughter-in-law had attacked her first, punching her multiple times in the face. However, police noted that Ward did not have any visible injuries consistent with her account.
As of Thursday, Ward remains in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. She has been formally charged with attempted felony murder. The case is expected to proceed to court, where prosecutors will likely rely heavily on the child’s testimony and the forensic evidence recovered from the scene.
The incident has shocked the quiet neighborhood and raised concerns about the broader issue of domestic violence within families — particularly when children are caught in the crossfire.
Authorities have not released the current condition of the victim, but sources say she is receiving intensive care and is expected to survive. The Department of Children and Families is reportedly involved in the case due to the presence of the child witness.
As investigators continue to gather evidence, the case of Celestine Ward stands as a tragic reminder of how family conflicts can erupt into devastating violence, leaving lasting trauma for everyone involved — especially the youngest.