Rebakah Weikle pleads guilty to killing four-year-old child out of jealousy

A West Virginia woman has been sentenced to two life terms after admitting to the horrific murder of her four-year-old daughter, motivated by jealousy over her husband’s affection.

On Thursday, Rebakah Weikle, 33, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. The charges stem from the July 2022 killing of her daughter, Haley, at their home in Forest Hill.

Summers County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Lefler revealed that Weikle’s mobile phone contained disturbing searches regarding lethal lacerations.

On the night of the attack, after her husband and sons had retired to bed, Weikle retrieved a kitchen knife.

"She used either a blanket or a pillow to cover Haley's mouth, and she specifically said so that the father would not hear," Lefler stated.

Following the act, Weikle cleaned the weapon and engaged in normal activities before waking her husband.

The child's father, Rusty Weikle, who initially faced charges that were later dropped, spoke of his devastation.

"I want everybody to know how evil the person that she is," he said, per WOAY. "She was jealous that I was paying attention to her, doing what I was supposed to do." Weikle will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.

This conclusion follows a complex investigation into the family's history, during which Rusty Weikle pleaded guilty to child neglect resulting in death.

The couple's two surviving sons have since been relocated to live with relatives out of state as they attempt to move forward from this tragedy.