BCSO identifies son accused of killing mother in Macclenny apartment on New Year's Eve

A Jacksonville man is accused of killing his mother. Now the Baker County Sheriff’s Office has a second-degree murder warrant for him for the death of his mother.

Action News Jax first told you on Monday night about the body of a woman being found in a Macclenny apartment.

The sheriff's office is now identifying her as Rebekah Osteen. They say the suspect is her son -- Joel Weeks.

On Tuesday afternoon, when BCSO released additional information about the incident, Action News Jax Courtney Cole learned Weeks has a history of violence toward his mother.

We also learned Osteen moved out to the Macclenny apartment for safe shelter away from her son.

However, one neighbor Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spoke with off-camera told her he saw Osteen’s son on their block regularly.

STORY: Baker County deputies find body after saving suicidal man in Macclenny

"It’s just crazy to think that that’s something around here. I’ve never really heard that in Macclenny before,” said Justin Canterbury.

Canterbury is new to the Maccelnny neighborhood on Big Oak Court. “It’s really laid back, not really anything’s happened…except…over there,” said Canterbury.

On Monday morning, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office responded to a "suicide attempt" call in the 600 block of Big Oak Court.

Right down the way from Canterbury’s home.

“I woke up and went out to my truck and I saw the FDLE over there and then they did have the  uh…the apartment was taped off,” Canterbury said.

Police say 47-year-old Joel Weeks called after intentionally stabbing himself in the stomach.

He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

"It was New Year’s Eve, so it was crazy to wake up and come out and see that. It was real shocking to me to see that,” said Canterbury.

Deputies then checked out the rest of the apartment. That's when they found the body of Weeks' mother on a bed.

According to the sheriff's office, it appeared 66-year-old Rebekah Osteen had been dead for several hours. Cuts were also found on her body.

Deputies say the family didn't know Weeks was at his mom's house.

Weeks already had two outstanding warrants in Duval County. The first, for violation of probation for domestic violence.

According to a JSO incident report filed in August 2015,  Osteen said her son "threw her down on the bathroom floor" and "kicked and hit her several times in the head after accusing her of taking money from his wallet.”

The second warrant was for violation of probation for DUI.
In March 2015, weeks was arrested because JSO officers believed he was impaired after he drove into a sign and a fence.

Weeks is in the hospital tonight.  When he is released, he will be held in the Duval County Jail.
He's due in court Jan. 15.

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