Man Charged with Murder After Allegedly Stabbing Mother, Confessing to Police

A self-described "intuitive healer" has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder after allegedly fatally stabbing his 77-year-old mother, Susan Baratto, in Delray Beach, Florida. Alexander Harrington, 50, was arrested and charged in the death of his mother, who was found in their gated community.

According to an affidavit, Harrington called Boca Raton's non-emergency dispatch on September 11, identified himself, and stated that he had killed his mother. The call was transferred to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, where he reiterated that he had murdered his mother with a knife. Responding officers found Baratto deceased with multiple stab wounds and a knife near her body.

While paramedics treated Harrington for a cut on his left arm, he allegedly told them, "I killed my mom." He later provided a statement at the sheriff's office, noting that he did not recognize his own voice from the initial calls but again admitting to killing his mother, though he could not recall the type of knife used.

Harrington also reportedly made statements indicating he did not recognize himself while appearing shirtless in a video near the residence. He informed detectives that he had been sober since 2007 and stated he has schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features.

A day prior to the incident, Harrington posted a video on Facebook discussing forgiveness, stating, "I wrote down everyone that ever hurt me, and I forgave them all." He emphasized the need to "bring in the emotions up" to be truly forgiving.

The motive for the alleged stabbing remains unclear. Harrington is being held without bond, with his next court date scheduled for October 11.