48 Hours A Mother Accused Airs November 22 2025 on CBS

CBS’s 48 Hours revisits one of the most haunting child abuse cases in recent memory with A Mother Accused, airing Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:30 PM ET/PT. This episode, anchored by the late Harold Dow, explores the disturbing case of Lacey Spears, a Florida woman convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her 5-year-old son, Garnett Spears. The case became a focal point in discussions about Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a rare and chilling form of abuse in which a caregiver deliberately causes or fabricates medical symptoms in someone else to gain attention or sympathy.

Garnett was a bright, social, and seemingly active boy whose short life was defined by countless hospital visits, invasive medical procedures, and confusing health setbacks. While his mother insisted he suffered from chronic gastrointestinal problems, multiple doctors later questioned the necessity of the medical interventions he received—particularly the feeding tube that became central to his care and, ultimately, to his death.

After Garnett’s sudden and unexplained decline in a New York hospital in early 2014, medical staff noted dangerously high sodium levels in his body. Suspicion quickly turned toward Lacey Spears when investigators discovered she had been researching sodium toxicity and had maintained a highly public social media presence documenting Garnett’s health issues.

During their investigation, police found feeding bags in Spears’ home containing lethal levels of salt. Though she denied any wrongdoing, video surveillance from the hospital showed Spears taking Garnett into the bathroom alone before his condition worsened. While there was no direct video evidence of a crime, the timing raised red flags.

Prosecutors argued that Spears poisoned her son with salt via his feeding tube, leading to his fatal brain swelling. The defense contended that the hospital mishandled his care and that there was no concrete proof of foul play. Despite these claims, a jury found Spears guilty of depraved indifference murder, and she was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

During sentencing, the judge directly referenced Munchausen by proxy, stating that Spears had exhibited the characteristics of the disorder, even though it was not officially used as a legal defense in the trial.

The episode raises serious questions about the warning signs that were missed by medical professionals, child services, and those close to Spears. Multiple doctors had reportedly considered Munchausen by proxy during Garnett’s early life, but the suspicions were never formally reported.

48 Hours: A Mother Accused presents emotional interviews, hospital video footage, and gripping courtroom moments that shine a light on one of the most heartbreaking cases of child abuse and manipulation in recent history. The episode also explores the systemic failures that allowed the abuse to continue and the lasting impact on those who knew Garnett.

Catch this compelling story Saturday night on CBS, or stream it on Paramount+.

Release Date & Time: 10:00 PM Saturday 29 November 2025 on CBS

48 Hours Cast –