Mom who drove kids into sea in ’14 leaves hospital

DAYTONA BEACH — Ebony Wilkerson, the South Carolina mother who drove her van with her kids inside into the Atlantic Ocean three years ago, is no longer living in a mental hospital.

A judge on Thursday followed the recommendation from two mental health experts who stated in separate reports that Wilkerson no longer met the criteria for involuntary commitment. As of Friday, she will be moved to a home in Daytona Beach where she will be monitored around the clock by health care specialists and counselors.

Wilkerson, 36, was found not guilty by reason of insanity on three counts of felony child abuse stemming from the March 4, 2014 incident, when she drove her van onto the sand at the Silver Beach approach and into the rough ocean. As the vehicle was battered by the waves, people ran to the vehicle and rescued her children — ages 10, 9 and 3 at the time. Video of the incident went viral internationally. Circuit Judge Leah Case ruled in August 2015 that Wilkerson could move from a state forensic hospital to a residential treatment center in Lake Wales, but one condition was that Wilkerson continue taking medication under the supervision of staff. She stopped taking her medicine and in May 2016 suffered a psychotic episode and ran into traffic. Case subsequently ordered her returned to the forensic hospital, where she had remained until this week.

Wilkerson will be administered medicine by staff. She won’t be allowed to take it on her own and a hearing must take place before that condition of her release can be changed, Case said.

Based on Case’s ruling, Wilkerson is still not permitted to have any physical contact with her children until a therapist has deemed it is appropriate. That is expected to happen soon.