Police: Port St. Lucie mom kills 8-year-old son
December 26th, 2008 by Ana X. Ceron
Eryn Allegra
By ANA X. CERON and ANDREW MARRA
PORT ST. LUCIE — On Christmas morning, Eryn Allegra pushed her son’s little face into a hotel pillow and let go when he stopped kicking.
That’s what Allegra, 31, told police hours after she said she had given 8-year-old Tristan pills to swallow and then smothered him as he slept.
Tristan Allegra
It was all part of a plan she had been contemplating for months, she told investigators. Only she was supposed to end up dead too.
Now Allegra sits in the St. Lucie County jail, where she faces a first-degree murder charge.
“She was the kind of girl who never talked things out,” Allegra’s grandmother, Catherine Whiting, said Friday at her Stuart home. “Never.”
Allegra told Port St. Lucie police she had been having financial problems. She thought of ending her life, she said, but didn’t want to leave her son behind.
On Christmas Eve, Allegra, who rented a room at a house in the 2200 block of Southeast Bowie Street, got a ride from one of her housemates to the corner of U.S. 1 and Jennings Road, police said.
Allegra and Tristan then walked to Denny’s to have dinner. Afterward, they crossed the street to the Holiday Inn, where Allegra had reserved a room about a week before, according to a police report.
There, she handed Tristan eight Advil pills to swallow, she said. She let the boy sleep for several hours before smothering him with a hotel pillow sometime between 3 and 4 a.m., the report states.
Allegra told investigators she suffocated him to ensure that Tristan wouldn’t wake up and suffer any disabilities as a result of the pills.
Once Allegra checked her son’s pulse to see if he was dead, she went to the bathroom to slit her wrists with a razor, police said. But she said the blades were dull and she couldn’t kill herself.
It was roughly 11 a.m. when she called 911 to report that she had killed her son, police spokesman Sgt. Robert Vega said.
A friend of Allegra’s, who did not want to be identified, said Allegra had moved in at the Bowie house about a year and a half ago. She was married to Michael Allegra, but the two had been separated since shortly after Tristan’s birth, the friend said.
Michael Allegra, 30, heard about his son’s death while in the St. Lucie County jail, where he is serving a two-month stint for a probation violation, records show. He is scheduled to be released Tuesday.
The friend also said Tristan’s mother had lost a couple of jobs recently. Last year she was fired from a day-care center for not meeting training requirements, the friend and former co-worker said. And in the fall, Allegra lost a contract with The Stuart News to deliver papers, the woman said.
In the past few months, Allegra had been working as a temp at Liberty Medical Center, according to the friend.
On Friday, neighbors remembered watching Allegra walking to work. They said she kept to herself.
Allegra gave no indication that something was wrong, the friend said. In fact, she and her housemates had made plans to exchange gifts on Christmas.
“They still have gifts under the tree,” the woman said.
Whiting, Allegra’s grandmother, said she adopted her when she was 7. But in recent years the two had become estranged.
Whiting said she had continued to be friendly with Michael Allegra after he and Eryn separated. She thought that may have contributed to Allegra’s decision to cut her off.
But last summer Tristan came to stay with her for a few weeks. She said he loved video games and going fishing with his father.
She said Allegra was on no medication for depression or mental diseases that she was aware of. She said if Allegra felt overwhelmed, all she had to do was call.
“She could have had my help any time she wanted it,” Whiting said.
The grandmother said she had constantly tried to reopen communications with Allegra, but she refused. When Whiting called her she would hang up, she said.
Allegra was born in St. Petersburg but moved to Martin County at a young age, Whiting said. She graduated from Martin County High School.
She had Tristan a few weeks before she turned 23. In February, he would have celebrated his 9th birthday. He spent weekdays with Eryn and weekends with Michael, Whiting said.
“He was a doll,” she said of Tristan.
Whiting said Michael called her from jail Friday morning. She said he was devastated.
“He said of all the weird things that Eryn came up with he’d never expected anything like that,” she said.
Staff researcher Michelle Quigley contributed to this article.
Sign the guest book for Tristan Allegra here.
Tags: Allegra, Holiday Inn
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December 26th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
This is sad. The little boy did nothing to deserve this. Money when loved..is that powerful…that it will allow people to kill themselves and their families. Thats why i am so happy that i know how to live without alot of money. Because when economic problems arise, we won’t panic because we know how to make ends meet. My condolences go out any other family of the young child who may have been affected by this tragic ending and i hope the mother gets what she deserves.
December 26th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Why!!!! it can’t be because of money as we are all with out that @ this point. Something else triggered this and it should be addressed when whomever sits down with her, because the blades would have cut if she really wanted to kill herself. Our children never asked to come into this world; we are responsible for that. We are to treat them as if they were Kings & Queens, not slaves to our needs. If there was a problem take the child to family, friends any one but what she did. Nothing should be tht BAD that we have to take the lives of our Children; NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 26th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Who are you to judge her?
Until you’ve walked a mile in her shoes, you have no idea if she was clinically depressed, mentally unstable, or in such a deep state of despair she could see no other way out.
I pass judgement on no one but myself. I suggest you take your opinions and keep them to youself, since you claim to be so happy, you have no need to pass along negativity to others.
And I sincerely hope the universe “gives you what YOU deserve” whatever that may be.
December 26th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Another fine mother!
December 26th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Money is the root of all evil………..
December 26th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
There has to be places where you can take such a child…. if anyone out there is contemplating something of this manner pls drop your child off at a safehouse. Or as one of my friends has done, she had the conversation with me that if anything were to happen to her I would be happy to raise her children. This is in writing. She was concerned about them going to her unhealthy inlaws or the foster system should something ever happen.
December 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
My condolences goes to the little boys family sleep for your Farther in heaven will whisper in your ear, Ephesians 5:14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Romans 14:9-11
9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11It is written:
” ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.’
Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Matthew 10:21
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
December 26th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Richard:
The person you are insulting is not judging but it seems as if you are for regardless to what the mother was going thru she had enough sense to plan & calculate just when she was to carry this out; so to you dear RICHARD she was not in any state of depression nor anything else she wanted to end her son’s life not herself. For to plan as she did she could have plan to take him from her harmful manner.
December 26th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
If somone interceded and assisted this deranged mother then this murder might have been prevented. Charity might actually save a life. The filthy rich in this area can do more to help the working class poor among us.
December 26th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Regardless of the Rich & Famous she had a chance to save her son as she saved herself. She had NO intention of not killing her son. People all over including myself are struggling with loss of jobs, homes etc. we are not taking our children or ourselves. It’s not the rich & famous the matter falls on each. Planning to do away with oneself & child she could have planned something better for the time it took to dream that one she could have given her son to someone else. Just ask for help. Pride no longer exist. Do the right thing. SHE COULD HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Locked up father. Not handling his business. I work two jobs to keep my roof up for my clan. Fathers handle you business no matter what. 100 hours a week at burger king if you have to.
December 26th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I am a pagan- a wiccan, and don’t believe in the bible …
but I do feel the person christ was a Wise One ………
and didn’t he say: “Judge not lest ye be judged”
and in this season of love and compassion-
there seems to be quite an abundance of hate and venom flowing forth not only in the world but also here on this comment board………
December 26th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Richard…i absolutely stand by my comments…i did not judge her i was just basing my comment off the facts the were already presented. And like others on this board have already stated….if she planned this murder out…she knew exactly what she was doing. she should be charged with premeditated murder. Murder is WRONG! That insanity front is ridiculous and is used only when the defense knows the accused is guilty. So you seem to come off as one who would represent these sick people.
December 26th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
uh, richard and tristan:
this lady didn’t burn a batch of cookies in the oven or run over a sprinklerhead with her lawnmower. She killed her son!How can either of you not expect people to judge her or be outraged about what happened???????? So if, god forbid, someone you loved was murdered in a similar fashion, we shouldn’t be outraged???
December 26th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I agree with everything Machalle Browm said. RIP Tristan
God help you Eryn.
December 26th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Unstable people think they are the center of the universe.
Lady, if you had done YOURSELF in, your kid would wonder where you are, but other people would give him pizza and take him to the beach and he would quickly forget about you.
My favorite unstable person ever was a compulsive cleaner. Why can’t all unstable people compulsively clean everything?
December 26th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
This is horrible beyond belief- this just proves we have to show everyone how valuable life is- unborn, born, children, elderly etc. I am so sad that I have not done enough to help children who are in difficult situations. This is so absolutely disasterous…
There are places to take children if you do not want them- go to Christ Fellowship- we will help you!
December 27th, 2008 at 1:34 am
This is incredibly disturbing…..may God have complete mercy on your soul Eryn, no mattter how “we” may feel about you. There are so many very good deserving women that are trying to have kids in order to complete their beautiful family, yet for whatever the reason being, they can’t successfully get pregnant. But the women that are actually blessed enough to have kids, in my opinion, not only don’t deserve them, but they don’t want them. Instead of putting them up for adoption so they may possibly have the chance of being accepted by a loving family, they MURDER them…… like I said earlier, may God have mercy on her soul!!!!
December 27th, 2008 at 8:56 am
While she merticulously and flawlessly killed her own son, I wonder why it didn’t occur to her to buy NEW razor blades to use on herself?! You know why: she had no genuine intention of killing herself.
December 27th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Dear Tristan: I find it impossible to explain why things happen in the material world in which we live; there is no justification for your early departure from this life. Deep in my heart I know the Lord has taken your soul and you are now in everlasting joy in a dimension not comprehensible to most of us here. Our prayers are now with those who loved you and will miss you so much and may the consequences of your sacrifice may serve as a warning to those attempting to solve their problems “the easy way”. May the hearts of those in decision making positions warm enough to help the tormented souls in distress and put an end to the misery in the world that has brought to humanity so much suffering. This should not happen in the United States of America.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I sm just devestated that a mother could do something like this to her own child. He had a live to fulfill and now can’t because of her SELFISHNESS !!!!! May you ROT in HELL for taking your son’s life. What did he do to deserve to die, NOTHING !! If you didn’t want him then you should of gave him to someone that could give him all the love that he deserved in life.
December 27th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
MAY GOD BLESS LITTLE TRISTAN! As everyone knows times are hard for everyone now! Since the beginning of time, many people have felt these struggles. Many living in single parent homes such as this one. Many without a stable place to live or food on their table. So that is not an excuse for killing your child! There are resources out there.I’m not talking about welfare. To anyone else out there that may be thinking of doing anything like this PLEASE SEEK HELP!!!! CALL 211 or 911 first! Our children are our future! They are innocent little lambs.
December 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
This mother is just as selfish as Casey Anthony. She took her child’s life so that she would no longer have to bothered with the raising of this beloved child of God. Every day there are parents taking their family’s lives for what ever reason they can think of. I pray every day that my children remember how very much I love them and gave them a home to the best of my ability. Today, I have several grandchildren and would give anything in this world to have the finances just to fly from one city to the next to give them my love just as I did my own children. May God be with you Tristan and the rest of children whose lives have been taken.
December 27th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Eryn, Why couldn’t you ask for help. I know that you had people you could have turned to. This is what you thought was an easy way out. My daughter remembers Tristan and cried because she couldn’t understand how you could do this. I raise her on my own, and when I need a break I ask a friend. May Tristan be at peace with God, you have taken a beauiful boy from family and friends who will miss him. For you who was cold and calculated I hope you never see the light of day……Tristan, my daughter and I will never forget you, may you rest peacefully…..
December 27th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Thi is all the things money can do.money can make people anything!!Itis amazing the things money can get or can destroy!!!This is the society we live in.People who are not full mentally healthy can see death as a wy out.I have thought about it after losing everything I worked for but my family and friends always keep me up.
December 27th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
This woamn was mentally insane.You can’t blame her.When someone does something that crazy it means they are schizophrenic!
December 27th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
what is wrong with people??? how can u possibly hurt your own child??? let alone kill them… i just dont know what this world is coming to.their get theirs one day!!!
December 27th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Stupid people having Kids, this is why I am pro choice and believe in Birth Control. However, since the child was born. If the stupid idiot did not want to have a child , she should have done the right thing and give it up for adoption or something. Very sad, a child as has to die because of idiots. where is the baby daddy.
December 27th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
It`s a shame that irresponsible people can have children to begin with.The father was in prison at the time,so he`s as much to blame for not taking care of his child.The worst part about it is the people that have the unconditional obligation to protect and care for them,are the ones who hurt them.Same with the Anthony girl.Death is too good but appropriate in these cases.No matter how bad things are, you can at least try to find other answers to problems you may think unsermountable.Unfortunately,with the economic conditions we are in,this is probably not the last of stories like this.Desparation is an evil maker,and we are all being tested to our very cores.Let`s just hope that those we put in power to help fix the problems, are more focused on the problems than they are on themselves.
December 27th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Larz…..Eryn was not mentally insane…. Her actions were pre-meditated!!!! She just couldn’t handle being a parent.. But as stressful as it can be there is no excusing her. I would imagine that once all of her cellmates find out they are in company with a child murderer the retaliation will begin!!! I hope I can be ther when the judge sentences her…Possibly the death sentence???
December 27th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
WOW THAT5 SO STUPID WHAT P3OPLE DOING NOW!!!KILLING THER3 KIDS THATS NOT COOL!!!
December 27th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Some people do not deserve to be mothers….
Just like the Caley Anthoney Story…..
I feel realy upset by this…
I am only 19 years old and I have a beautiful angelof 2 years that deserves everything in the world….studying hard for his future and its been very hard looking for a job………. I COULD NEVER EVEN IMAGIN OR THINK ABOUT HURTING MY SON…. THEY ARE JUST INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!
tristen rest in peace little angel you are in good hands now……….
December 28th, 2008 at 12:18 am
I think that Machalle Brown and sebastian dansk’s comments were right to the point.
This crime in my opinion was not about money or economic failures or even depression. That’s a lot of malarkey.
I believe this woman killed her son and had no intention of killing herself.
One last thing, what has happened to the youth of today? I am not old but not a teenager. Is it so hard to spell a word right? I can’t get through some of these posts.
December 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
FROM A MOTHER 2 A CHILD REST N PEACE TRISTEN.LOVE JANET
December 28th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I am Tristan’s (Grandpa) as he called me .And his mom says she lost her house she never owned one.She rented.She had never told us of money problems.We would have gave what ever it took .She could have stayed here in my home In Tristan’s room that is still empty.If she wanted to end her life drop him here with his Grandparents and do what ever she liked.No problem We loved him very much and will miss him dearly.She was the one who left her 25 year old husband (my son)for a 60 year old man.that didn’t work out.My poor grandson had to be forced to take the med.He knew better but trusted him mom.
December 28th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Robert, I am sorry for your loss. I have a daughter who is 2 weeks younger than Tristan. My heart hurts because I knew Eryn and cant beleive she could do this. I dont know your son and I will not judge him, but I do know the 60 yr old man you are refering and if Eryn had went to him for help I know he would have. Even after not seeing her for a few months I would have helped her also. She had plenty of people to turn to I dont get it…. My daughter has said prayers for Tristan and know God will comfort him.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Thanks Jenn, And I know her 60 year old friend would have helped for sure . He knew Tristan well and like him and will miss him.People play it up when i said she destroyed xmas for my family. When we are enjoying the birth of our lord.We will be remembering the death of our grandson. Not some thing to look forward to.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Hi. Robert, I’m dearly sorry about your lost. I know how it feels to have some one snatch from you. Doing my desperate cries at night all I could hum to myself was this song by Yolanda Adams, I hope the words to this can help you through it all. God Love and will see you through.
There is no pain Jesus can’t feel
The Battle Is The Lord’s
No hurt He can not heal
All things work according to His perfect will
No matter what you’re going through
Remember God is using You
For the battle is not yours
It’s the Lord’s
There’s no sadness Jesus can’t feel
And there is no sorrow
That He can not heal
For all things work
According to the Master’s holy will
No matter what you’re going through
Remember that God is only using You
For the battle is not yours
It’s the Lord’s
It’s the Lord’s
Yes It’s the Lord’s
Hold your head up high
Don’t you fright
It’s the Lord’s
It’s the Lord’s
Yes It’s the Lord’s
No matter what
You’re going through
Remember that God
Only wants to use you
For the battle is not yours
It’s the Lord’s
No matter what
You happen to go through right now
Remember that in the midst of it all
God only wants to use you
No matter what you’re going through
For the battle is not yours
It’s the Lord’s
No matter what it is
That you’re going through
Hold your head up, stick your chest out
And remember He’s using you
No matter what you’re going through
God is only using you
December 29th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Mr. “Who are you to judge her”…I hope she dies just as horribly as her son did. She has no right to take anyones life. Of course she failed in taking her’s. She is nothing but selfish and a coward. She could have taken that boy to a safe place. I don’t care how much pain your in. I hope she suffers for the rest of her miserable life.
December 29th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Denise Clark I want the same thing. And being his grandfather i would love the turn the switch. And who are you to judge.a stranger
December 30th, 2008 at 9:58 am
All i have to say is for a mother to take her own childs life . She is a sick thing . Animals take care of there young better than that it makes me sick . I have 2 kids 18 and 12 I have been through divorce. Every child has the right to live and grow up through good times and bad. Robert im so sorry for your loss words cannot discribe the loss of a child.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
We have only met Tristan a few times. There was no reason for his death. His Grandparents would have done anything for that little boy. I hope Eryn gets what she gave Death to her. Our prayers go out to Bobby and Peggi. May Tristan rest in peace.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
thanks Donald some day we should talk miss you bro.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I’m hurting so bad .It;s unreal.It’s been hell with the press seeing who can get the first scoop.I’m about to stand on the lawn and make the get off my property.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Robert, I am sorry the press is hurting you. They need to back off and let you greive. Have you had a chance to be with your son?….My sympathy is with him also.
December 31st, 2008 at 7:50 am
Yes and no Jenn He’s been busy for his 24 of freedom. But we have talked a little
December 31st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Bob,
My grief is overwhelming and it’s important for you to know that I feel very deeeply for Michael. Tristan loved his daddy more than anything but when Sunday came and Michael brought him back, it was me that took him to Karate, Did his homework with him, answered all questions, played his games, took him to dinner and in general, became a second Grandpa to him. I realize that nobody cares about the “60 year old man” now, but for five years Tristan spent more loving, happy time with me than anyone else including his Mom! His passing is a blow I will never recover from as I’m sure you can appreciate. My prayers gp out to you and Peg and especially Michael who is a good man was a very loved Daddy.
Who sees my tears?
January 1st, 2009 at 4:45 am
Yeah what ever.You are still telling lies like when you told me you were not trying to hookup with Eryn.Who was the one who broke them up. Split their family apart.Just back off and keep clear of me.I don’t forget that easy
January 1st, 2009 at 9:29 am
Bob
you are grieving and upset and I understand but you are out of line and completely wrong. I never lied to you. Things happened as things do but she was a house guest for six months befor we hooked up. her bags were packed when I met her. Mike knows that and so do you. God bless you all
January 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I agree with Matthew who posted about Men taking more responcblity. Where the Dad and why didn’t he have a clue about this? Women today are overburdened with all the responcibilities especially the single moms. (I know because i was one) and though I donot condone what she did because taking another life is never an option to solve a problem, Men of today need to grow up and become more responcible to their women and children. It seems that each generation born after the 50’s generation has produced more and more lazy and irresponcible men. selfish arogant individuals who never seem to grow up. Therfore wtness the overall decline in the morals and standards in our society. A decline which has devastating effects on the poor innocent children such as this sweet boy who lost his precious life needlessly. We all are to blame and we all need to be our brother’s keepers to keep a tragedy like this from happening again.