Debra Jeter: A Mother Who Killed Her Teenage Daughter

The mugshot of Debra Jeter who slit the throats of her two daughters. Photo: Murderpedia

A 33-year-old woman, Debra Janelle Jeter, in central Texas has received a life sentence without parole after pleading guilty to capital murder and attempted capital murder. Jeter killed one daughter and seriously injured the other in a brutal attack.

Debra Jeter's husband had filed for separation and there was concern about the care of their children after Jeter attempted suicide. Despite this, the judge lifted a restraining order against Jeter, allowing her to see her children, who were excited about the reunion.

Debra Jeter surprised the girls by taking them to an abandoned ranch house where she killed one daughter and seriously injured the other. Jeter called 911 after the attack and was arrested by police.

Who is Debra Jeter?

Debra Jeter pictured with her daughters Kelsey and Kiersten during happier times.

Debra Jeter and her husband, Lester Lee Jeter, lived in Hillsboro with their two daughters. Debra was a part-time tutor in anatomy and physiology at Hill College during the previous fall semester. She was accepted into the college's LVN program in December but declined and expressed her desire to become a registered nurse.

Neighbors of the Jeter’s reported to have made multiple calls to the police regarding the residents of their messy and noisy single-story house on the corner.

In May 2009, Lee filed for a separation from Debra, which caused her to attempt suicide at their home. A neighbor reported that a firetruck and an ambulance had been at the Jeter house and they were told that Debra had taken overdosed. She received psychiatric treatment at the DePaul Center in Waco.

Lee filed for divorce and was granted a temporary restraining order against Debra, expressing concern for her safety and the safety of the children. He stated in the document that "She may be released within a few days, and I am concerned about her possible actions regarding the children,".

A hearing was held and the judge lifted the restraining order, allowing Debra to visit with her daughters. Lee agreed with the decision, claiming she had never shown any harm towards her children. The reason for the separation was never revealed in detail.

The Attack on Kelsey and Kiersten Jeter

A video playing the 911 call from Debra Jeter after she had attacked her two daughters.

After the restraining order had been lifted Debra Jeter came to pick up Kelsey and Kiersten from their father’s house, telling them she had a surprise planned for them.

The girl’s were excited about seeing their mom as they hadn’t seen her for nearly two weeks. Kiersten posted on her myspace account saying "I GET TO SEE MY MOM TOMMORROW!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!"

Debra too Kelsey Leeanne and Kiersten Leigh to an abandoned ranch house.

Three hours after saying goodbye to their dad, a 911 call was made by Debra calmly stating that she had killed her daughters.

In the background or the call, Kiersten can be heard asking for help. Debra, a nursing student, ignored her daughter's wounds and walked around the house instead.

When deputies arrived, they found Debra with her hands in the air holding a cell phone and a knife on the roof of a nearby car. Kiersten was rushed to Parkland Hospital in Dallas in a critical condition ad underwent surgery. She eventually made a full recovery.

Debra was put on suicide watch, charged with attempted capital murder and murder, and her bond was set at $1.5 million.

The Sentencing of Debra Jeter

Nearly 12 months after the slayings, Debra entered a guilty plea on the charges against her. She agreed to a plea bargain that sentenced her to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This agreement allowed her to escape the death penalty and kept Kiersten from having to testify at Debra's trial.

Before being transferred to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility in Gatesville, Debra met with her estranged husband, Lester Lee Jeter, and their daughter Kiersten.

Debra allegedly told Lester that she held a grudge against him for initiating separation proceedings and attempting to take the children away. Despite this, she expressed remorse for her actions.

Lester reported that Debra was heartbroken over the divorce and custody battle and didn't want her children to experience the same pain. She believed that if she felt that way, everyone else must as well and sought to relieve them of their suffering.

According to reports, Debra shared some lighthearted moments with Kiersten during their final meeting.

Debra Jeter is currently serving her life sentence in a Texas prison.

You might also be interested in the story of Yuka Takaoka, the “too beautiful” criminal or the murder of Daniel Halseth by his 16 year old daughter.