BOSTON (TNND) — A 49-year-old Massachusetts woman accused of killing her two children became emotional when she appeared in court on Wednesday.
Video shows Janette MacAusland, of Wellesley, crying after prosecutors described the murders of her 7-year-old son, Kai, and 6-year-old daughter, Ella.
MacAusland confessed to murdering Kai and Ella in their home on April 24 before trying to take her own life.
“I wanted the 3 of us to go to God together, but it didn’t work,” she said, according to NBC10 Boston, with the media outlet citing a police affidavit.
The investigation began after Wellesley authorities received a call from a Vermont police department requesting a well-being check. Police later found the children dead.
MacAusland was arrested arrested in Vermont at her aunt’s house and extradited back to Massachusetts.
Authorities said she had been seeking custody of her two young children amid a divorce. Probate court records show her husband filed for divorce in October after nine years of marriage and sought custody of the children, as well as the house.
MacAusland later filed a counter claim also seeking custody and the home. They filed a joint motion on April 16, agreeing to have a neutral third party investigate and make recommendations about custody, and a guardian was appointed on April 21.
Just a few days later, the children were dead.
MacAusland, who was charged with two counts of murder, was held without bail after a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. She is She is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause hearing on July 13, according to NBC10 Boston.
___________
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
