Police: FL Woman Gouged Out Mother's Eyes, Saved Them In Cardboard Box

Authorities say a Florida woman gouged out her mother's eyeballs and stored them in a cardboard box. 

Camille Balla, 32, is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of her mother, Francisca Monteiro-Balla.

A Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office probable cause affidavit says Balla called a co-worker and asked for help because she "believed she may have murdered her mother." 

The unidentified co-worker arrived at the Royal Palm Beach home and saw Balla covered in blood, so the co-worker called 911.

When deputies arrived, Balla spontaneously said, "I killed my mother and I need help."

When deputies entered the home, they found blood splatter throughout the house and Balla's 55-year-old mother dead in the garage, according to the affidavit.

"It appeared that Monteiro-Balla's eyes had been removed from her head and placed in a nearby cardboard box," the affidavit said.

Deputies said Balla was being treated by paramedics at the scene when she started to scream, "I'm a murderer."

Balla was treated for large lacerations to her hands at St. Mary's Medical Center before being booked into the main Palm Beach County jail.