GREENWOOD, S.C. (FOX Carolina) -After five years behind bars for killing her abuser, an Upstate mother is back home — greeted by a community that never stopped supporting her.
Tiffany Carroll, a mother of five, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to manslaughter after stabbing her boyfriend in 2017. A psychologist diagnosed her with battered woman syndrome, a form of PTSD. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Carroll was granted parole in November after three previous denials. Family members, friends and supporters had been pushing for her release since her incarceration.
Now, Carroll is back home with her family, where she is able to spend the holidays with them for the first time in five years.
“When I saw them, I just cried. I cried, hugged them and kissed them,” Carroll said. “I know it’s real, but it doesn’t feel real, you know? So, I’m just thankful. So thankful.”
Carroll’s sister, Brenda McCullough, shared the joy of the reunion.
“I just felt all of the love that was there for her. I just couldn’t believe she was home,” McCullough said.
Carroll’s 91-year-old grandmother, Hattie Carroll, expressed her gratitude for her granddaughter’s return.
“Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. I’m glad to see her. Glad to touch her. Big ole hallelujah!” she said.
State Reps. John McCravy and Travis Moore also fought for Carroll’s release. McCravy hosted a special reception for her at his Greenwood office on Bypass 72 Northeast.
“Somebody who was a victim herself ended up in an institution. It just touched everybody because it just wasn’t justice,” McCravy said.
“It’s probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done as a lawyer, honestly. Everybody wanted her out,” Moore added.
Carroll said she’s grateful for a community that never stopped fighting for her. Now, she says she’s ready to fight for others.
“I just want to help other people in my situation — families, not just the women and the children, but the men, too. So I want to try to go to school for psychology,” she said.
Her supporters are pushing for state-level changes in how domestic violence cases are handled.
“I’m just looking forward to having all my children back in the same household again,” she said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Carroll get back on her feet.
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