Neighbors said an older child called police before the arrest.
SPRINGVILLE, Ala. — A Springville mother remained in jail after court records said she tried to kill three minor children by locking them inside a running car in the garage of a home.
The case centers on Alicia Chermamie Cade, 42, and an April 14 incident on Archers Cove Way. Authorities charged Cade with three counts of attempted murder, first-degree arson and second-degree assault. Records show she was arrested April 16.
Neighbors told WVTM that an older child was put out of the home before police were called. They said that child reported what was happening inside the house. Court records say Cade was inside the garage with three younger children and a running vehicle.
Police also accused Cade of starting or keeping a fire going at the home. Officials have not released a full timeline of the response, and records reviewed by local reporters did not say whether the children were injured. The children’s names and ages were not released.
Residents in Archers Cove described the neighborhood as normally quiet. Sharon Williams, who lives nearby, said the allegations were hard to process. “It was heartbreaking to know that those kids went through that with her that day,” Williams said.
Court records say Cade punched an officer in the jaw while he tried to handcuff her, leading to a second-degree assault charge. A neighbor recorded video showing Cade being taken away from the home on a stretcher after the arrest.
Some residents said they believed Cade had been struggling before the incident. Carl Mendiola, another neighbor, said the children should have been protected. “It’s unfortunate that the kids got that tangled up in that,” Mendiola said.
Cade also has earlier charges in Mobile County, including allegations involving the assault of a health care worker and an officer. St. Clair County records show she was being held in jail while awaiting extradition to Mobile County.
Her bond was set at $60,000 on each attempted murder charge and $15,000 on the assault charge tied to the officer in Springville. No bond was listed for the arson charge.
Author note: Last updated May 27, 2026.