Florida Man Accused of Killing His 77-Year-Old Mother After Making Disturbing Admission to Police

A 50-year-old Florida man who described himself online as an “intuitive healer” is facing a first-degree premeditated murder charge after his 77-year-old mother was found dead inside her home in a gated Delray Beach community.

Alexander Harrington is accused of killing his mother, Susan Baratto, earlier this month. According to an affidavit, Harrington allegedly contacted authorities himself on the afternoon of September 11 and made a direct admission about what had happened.

A Call to Police Leads Officers to the Home

Authorities say Harrington initially contacted Boca Raton’s non-emergency dispatch center, identified himself and allegedly said he had killed his mother.

The call was transferred to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, where Harrington allegedly repeated the admission and told dispatchers that a knife had been involved.

Deputies were sent to Baratto’s home in the Monterey Lake community in Delray Beach. The 77-year-old was found with multiple injuries, and investigators said a knife was discovered nearby.

Harrington, who had an injury to his left arm, was also treated by paramedics. According to the affidavit, he allegedly told them, “I killed my mom.”

Detectives Say His Later Statements Became Confusing

When paramedics treated Harrington, who had a cut to his left arm, he allegedly told them, “I killed my mom.”Susan Baratto Harrington/Facebook

Harrington was subsequently taken to the sheriff’s office, where investigators questioned him about the incident.

According to authorities, he again said he had killed his mother but claimed he could not remember what type of knife had been used.

His account reportedly became more unusual when investigators confronted him with recordings and video.

Harrington allegedly said he did not recognize his own voice from the earlier calls to police. He also alternated between identifying himself and saying he did not recognize a shirtless man captured on video pacing along a sidewalk near his mother’s home.

During questioning, Harrington told detectives he had been sober since 2007 and said he had schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features.

Authorities have not announced a motive.

Video Posted One Day Earlier Focused on Forgiveness

Investigators are also aware of a Facebook video Harrington posted just one day before his mother’s death.

In the recording, Harrington spoke at length about forgiveness and said he had written down the names of everyone who had ever hurt him before forgiving them.

“You have to open your heart to forgive,” he said, adding that simply describing yourself as forgiving was not enough.

The timing of the video has drawn attention because it appeared only a day before the incident, though the available court information does not establish that the message was connected to his mother’s death.

Harrington Held Without Bond

Harrington has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder.

He was ordered held without bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for October 11.

For now, investigators have not publicly identified what they believe led to the incident. The case remains centered on Harrington’s alleged admissions to authorities, the evidence recovered from the Delray Beach home and the circumstances surrounding Baratto’s death.