LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Disturbing new details have emerged on the alleged murder of a Las Vegas valley 2-year-old child.
Court documents reveal the child's mother, Cristina Moya, had recently separated from the boy's father.
The man told police that Moya suffered from depression and felt her medication was not working.
Moya is accused of stabbing their son and attempted to kill herself with kitchen knives in the home.
RELATED: Las Vegas police: Child dead in possible murder-suicide attempt
She also wrote a note revealing her intentions to take her son's life, as well as her own, according to authorities.
This case has highlighted a reported growing problem of postpartum depression in Southern Nevada.
Wednesday, a Las Vegas mother told 13 Action News that she finds herself fighting postpartum depression day in and day out.
"I don't want my kids growing up without me. It makes me feel selfish having these thoughts. Like you just want it to end. You want to feel normal," Ross said.
She said fighting the battle has been one of the most trying times in her life and going out in public does not help either.
"I think one of my hardest things is going to like a store or something and seeing a mom with a new baby being so happy like I envy her - I instantly hate this person because she's so happy," Ross said.
The one stigma that the mother of four said she deals with is when people tell her its all in her head and that it's not a real thing.
This is why DNP, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Marcia Clevesy and UNLV Associate Professor, Associate Dean for undergraduate affairs Tricia Gatlin wish to shine the light on postpartum depression screening and urge doctors to do the same.
"I think it's important to get this message out there that there are training services. There are available to learn how to use validated tools, to help open up that conversation, about you know postpartum depression," Clevesy said.
Ross also said she had to advocate for herself to get some answers and can't thank her husband enough for being supportive through her journey.
Clevesy said support is essential and the biggest problem is mothers don't have that support they need.
"Social support is significant, along with counseling. I mean there is a multitude of things, it's multifaceted as to what they need for assistance," Clevesy said. "There is a stigma talking about depression in general, and I think that when we talk about screening for postpartum depression, it's not a comfortable conversation to have."
Recently, Clevesy's staff has implemented a scale tool to use in her office at UNLV to start opening up the conversation about depression.
"It's a tool that the patient fills out themselves, there is a scoring system," Clevesy said.
A score of ten or higher opens up that conversation about depression for those struggling and seeking services to help them with services or even medication, according to medical professions.
Ross said she is getting the necessary help and is also meeting with Clevesy and Gatlin as well.
