Police: Fernley mother stabbed sleeping son

A Fernley mother is in jail after allegedly plunging a kitchen knife into the chest of her sleeping 7-year-old son Thursday night, saying it was at the urging of God, police said.

Jeannine Ravenna Brandt, 40, is being held in the Lyon County Jail on suspicion of felony battery with intent to kill and child abuse.

According to Lyon County Detective Lt. Bryan Veil, Brandt's husband called officers to the home on Primton Way in the Villa Mobile Home Park about

11 p.m. on a report of an accidental stabbing.

According to the police report, Brandt's husband reported his wife was "sleepwalking and stabbed son with knife."

When deputies arrived they found Brandt in her bedroom and the boy lying in his bed screaming. The knife had been removed from his chest by his mother before police arrived, said Veil.

"When deputies found her she had her knees on the floor and was bent over her bed," said Veil. "She told us she did it because God told her to do it."

Veil said she also called the child the "anti-Christ."

The boy was taken to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno and was listed in good condition Friday in the pediatric unit of the hospital. Veil said it appears the boy's ribs prevented the knife from causing severe damage.

A 2-year-old child was removed unharmed from the home.

Brandt was allegedly prescribed anti-depressant medication but apparently had not been taking them.

On her Myspace page, she describes herself as "friendly, open, honest, and I truly love people." She said her heroes are Jesus Christ and her mother, and lists "playing/-reading with my children" as something she enjoys.

She also mentioned she enjoys investigation-themed television shows such as CSI and NCIS and books by crime writer Patricia Cornwell. "I enjoy her use of forensic technique descriptions."

Brandt's bail is set at $150,000.