NORTH PORT, Fla., -- Erica White was brutally killed and her boyfriend is charged with second degree murder. Now, Erica's son, says the relationship with her boyfriend was always abusive and while his mom tried to leave she couldn't get away in time to save her life.
“He had stabbed her multiple times," said 19-year-old Jordan White, Erica's oldest son. "Basically to the point where there’s not a chance for an open casket.”
White says he will have to cremate his mother. According to North Port Police department, Erica's boyfriend, Jason Doty, was found with his hands covered in blood. Erica, mother of two, was found on her bed with multiple lacerations all over her body.
“I figured she would have gotten herself out of it before it got that deep," said White.
White says Erica tried multiple times to leave, but she kept going back to her abuser. It's a common action seen in victims, according to Liana Calderin, a licensed health professional at Abuse and Counseling Treatment Center (ACT).
"They feel some sort of connection and they believe they are going to change because they got some life lesson like going to jail," explained Calderin,
Calderin says it's normal for victims to go back to their abusers four to six times because of the "hope" they feel things will get better. But more than often, she explains, the abuser doesn't change their behavior. She tells Fox 4, abusers look to have power of control.
"The more I lose control, the more lethal I become to let you know that you still have to respond to me.”
White, on the other hand, remembers his mother as a loving person.
“She always put everyone before herself...what happened to her, she didn't deserve at all."
Erica's family has set up a GoFundMe Pageto help pay for her funeral service. You can donate here.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, reach out to ACT on their 24 hour hotline at 239-939-3112 or email them at act@actabuse.com.
