A woman accused of killing her father last month will undergo a mental health evaluation by order of the court.
Sonya Elaine Babb, 54, of 155 McKeehan Ridge Road, appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court on Friday morning. Babb faces a charge of first degree murder in the death of her father, 77-year-old Kenneth Younce, a retired Carter County Constable.
Friday marked Babb’s second appearance in court and her attorney, Assistant Public Defender James Lonon, was allowed to have a private conference with her before the case was brought before the judge. At her arraignment on Jan. 29, Babb wept. During Friday’s appearance, Babb did not make a sound and did not even speak with her attorney.
Lonon filed a request for a mental health evaluation with the court on Feb. 1, which was granted by Judge Keith Bowers. Under the terms of the court order, Babb is to be evaluated for her competency to stand trial, her mental condition at the time of the alleged crime, her need for mental health treatment and whether or not she suffers from a diminished mental capacity.
Due to the time required for a mental health evaluation to be completed, Lonon told the court Babb wanted to waive the time limit for a preliminary hearing.
The court provided Babb with a waiver form to sign. When Lonon handed Babb an ink pen she took the pen, but instead of signing she stared down at the paper. Lonon called Babb’s name several times but she did not respond.
“Your honor, Ms. Babb has been non-verbal since they brought her down,” Lonon said.
After Lonon addressed the judge, Babb began signing the waiver form.
Lonon requested the case be reset for a status update in several weeks to see if the results of the mental health evaluation were available. Judge Keith Bowers Jr. scheduled Babb to return to court on March 15 for a status check.
The charges against Babb stem from an investigation into a reported shooting at 153 McKeehan Ridge Road on Jan. 27. When officers arrived at the home, witnesses said Babb had shot her father in the chest with a .40 caliber pistol.
Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford said Younce’s wife and another daughter were able to take the gun away from Babb and placed it under the porch until officers arrived.
According to police, during an interview with investigators Babb admitted to shooting her father with his own gun.
“When I asked Sonya Babb why she shot him, she stated it was because she believed that Kenneth Younce had killed her son, Seth Babb. I assured Sonya Babb that her son was alive,” CCSO Sgt. Stacy McKinney said. “Then later in the conversation I asked her why she killed her father Kenneth Younce again, and she stated it was because of the way he has abused us and never said that he was sorry.”