Man charged with Mel Cotton's murder
The Austin Police Department charged a man with the capital murder of Mel Cotton.
Authorities charged Milton Gobert with the Monday stabbing death of Cotton. Her 5-year-old son was also critically injured, but survived.
APD says 30-year-old Cotton and her 5-year-old son were stabbed several times Monday morning. Cotton was killed and her son was left to die.
Authorities said the person responsible was a man both Cotton and her son knew -- a man police describe as dangerous.
"He had a very assaultive record and extensive history ranging from convictions in robbery, burglary, assault," APD Sgt. Hector Reveles said.
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Police arrested the suspect, Milton Gobert, in the 8000 block of Gessner. He had a parole violation and an outstanding warrant for assaulting the tipster that turned him in -- a girlfriend that Mel Cotton had helped just days before.
"Mel may have assisted this woman in moving away from the suspect. That may have generated some hostility on his part, but that's speculation," Reveles said.
Cotton intervened to try to help a friend, but domestic abuse counselors say her death is an example of what can happen if you get involved at the wrong time.
"By far and away, the most dangerous time for a woman is when she makes a decision to try and get out of that relationship," Kelly White, with SafePlace, said.
Experts said the best way to help is by assisting the victim with a plan. That includes finding them a safe and private place to stay and getting them the professional help they need to recover.
In cases where children are involved, like this one, the key to helping a child overcome the trauma is through support.
"If someone loves the child, if someone is protective of the child, then they're on their first steps to recovering and to healing," Amanda Vanhoozer, with the Children's Advocacy Center, said.
Cotton's son will need that kind of support as he copes with the physical and mental scars caused by domestic violence.
SafePlace gets more than 10,000 domestic abuse calls in Austin every year. If you feel like you or someone you know may be in danger, call the 24-hour helpline at (512) 267-7233.