Robber Dead After Texas Mom Protects Family During Invasion

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In a tragic twist of events, a botched robbery turned into what will be a funeral for one and a stack of hospital bills and court proceedings for another when a woman in Texas defied fear to protect her home.

When 20-year-old Dakota Scott Benoit and 25-year-old John Garland made the choice to smash through the front door of Kellie and Keith Hoehn's Fort Worth home wielding a shotgun and a pistol early September 3rd, 2008, the 34-year-old mother of two was determined to protect her young children, who were in their beds asleep.

According to an Associated Press news report:

The 34-year-old mother of two grabbed a shotgun that had been pointed at her face early Wednesday, starting a struggle that ended with one intruder killed with his own weapon and another in the hospital.
I wasn't going to let them get to my babies," she said, recalling the moment when she pushed up the muzzle of the shotgun, pointing it away from her children's rooms.
Although the intruders told her to keep quiet, she screamed for her husband. She told her 12-year-old son, who was awakened by the sound of the shattering glass front door, to get his 5-year-old sister and hide.

A mother's protective nature knows no boundaries and for Kellie, she obviously had a lot on her side. She was able to hold onto the end of the shotgun muzzle until her husband could tackle the guy. She then hit the intruder in the head with a "jar candle."

Keith Hoehn shot both intruders, killing Dakota and critically wounding John, who attempted to flee the scene. The bullet pierced his diaphragm and "other organs", according to the report.

John Pierson will face various charges, including burglary of a habitation. As for the couple, they shouldn't be facing any charges due to defending their home and family.

An amazing feat of bravery by the mother and one that could have had a different outcome.