Witness: Mom who drove into reservoir with kids inside wanted 'to see God'

A local mother is accused of intentionally driving her SUV into a body of water with her three young children inside.

Amanda Nappi, 30, and her kids were rescued Friday afternoon at Lawton Valley Reservoir in Portsmouth, Rhode Island after she drove her SUV into the water.

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In court Monday, prosecutors say a witness saw Nappi in the water, walking away from the shore and the SUV, holding her two youngest children by the hand. The witness told police Nappi said, "I want to see God."

According to prosecutors, the witness was concerned Nappi was about to drown her children and convinced her to get back to shore where emergency crews treated her and the children.

Boston 25 News has learned this is not Nappi's first arrest. In 2012, she was arrested for assaulting a Milford police officer. Less than a year later, she was arrested again and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, resisting arrest, and destruction of property and more. In both incidents, responding officers said Nappi was intoxicated and abusive to emergency responders and police. In one case, a police officer had to use a stun gun on her and in the other, she was pepper sprayed. Records show in both cases, she allegedly spit at police and threatened violence against them.

A record in one file indicated Nappi was being treated for anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Nappi lives with her three children and her parents in Milford, Massachusetts. The children are now in the emergency custody of Mass. DCF as Rhode Island prosecutors prepares their case against Nappi.

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