Tanner Horner’s Mom Cries in Court Over Athena Strand’s Murder: ‘She Was Just a Baby’

After FedEx driver Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to killing 7-year-old Athena Strand, his mother broke down in court while discussing the crime.

“I am so mad at him. I want to just tear his ass up,” Horner’s mother, who was referred to as Mrs. Horner by attorneys, said through tears during a hearing on Wednesday, April 22, according to CBS News. “She was just a baby.”

Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and kidnapping in connection to Strand’s death on April 7. However, the case is still on trial as jurors work to determine whether he will be given the death sentence or sentenced to life in prison.

Strand was killed after Horner stopped at her home in Wise County, Texas, on November 30, 2022, to deliver a package. He then put the girl in his truck and drove away, and her body was later discovered in a nearby river.

When asked by the defense if she loved her son, Mrs. Horner responded, “Of course, I love my son. I don’t love who did that, though. I don’t know who that was.”

The prosecution also asked Mrs. Horner questions, including what Tanner told her about the incident. She claimed he initially told her that “he abducted the little girl, he panicked and strangled her.”

She was then asked what her understanding of the event was now that she watched the livestream of the trial. “I don’t know what to say, I’m so sorry,” she said through tears.

Mrs. Horner also testified about difficulties during her upbringing, telling the defense that she was born to a teen mom and her parents divorced when she was 1 year old. Mrs. Horner told the jury that her stepfather sexually abused her, and she described struggling with drug abuse and mental health issues. After sharing that she used heroin for 25 years, she said she is now on methadone.

“I used everything I could get my hands on,” Mrs. Horner said. “It wasn’t a good lifestyle.”

Mrs. Horner also shared that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.

She met Tanner’s father, Terry Horner, when she was teenager and was working at a Fort Worth strip club after she did a stint in rehab and dropped out of high school. She claimed that Terry raped her on the night they met, though she went on to marry him when she was 19.

Mrs. Horner said she didn’t know she was pregnant with Tanner until she was about eight and a half weeks pregnant. She admitted to drinking alcohol and using drugs regularly in the early stages of her pregnancy, though said she gave up alcohol and most drugs once she learned she was expecting. However, she said she still smoked cigarettes and marijuana throughout her pregnancy.

She continued using drugs throughout Tanner’s childhood, and she was arrested on drug and prostitution charges and served time in jail.

Mrs. Horner claimed that Tanner had a hard time making friends and communicating with other kids during his childhood, and he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and ADHD.

She went on to share issues that Tanner experienced growing up, including being bullied at school.

Mrs. Horner also opened up about Tanner becoming a father, insisting that he loved his son. However, Tanner and his girlfriend, his son’s mother, allegedly had financial issues, which put a strain on their relationship.