2-year-old among kids left alone for days after apparent murder-suicide, MS police say
Four kids were left to fend for themselves after an apparent murder-suicide outside their Mississippi home, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told news outlets.
The children — a 7-year-old, two 3-year-olds and a 2-year-old — were alone for days before officers found them safe inside the house Saturday, Dec. 14, Wade said at a news conference addressing the city’s recent homicides.
Authorities discovered two bodies in the carport, according to the police chief.
The victims, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, had both been shot, WAPT reported, citing police. McClatchy News isn’t naming the victims to protect the kids’ identities.
“The children hadn’t disturbed the bodies in any type of way, but they were inside the home for days without supervision, without any food, or without any of the basic necessities that would’ve been supplied by their mother,” Wade said.
Police said they believe the shooting occurred Dec. 11, according to WLBT. Officers said they didn’t make the grim discovery until days later when a family friend requested a wellness check.
Loved ones told police they hadn’t heard from the family after getting a “concerning” message from one of the victims, the station reported.
McClatchy News reached out to the Jackson Police Department for more information Dec. 17 and was awaiting a response.
Wade said the kids were taken to a hospital and released into the care of child protective services.
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 11:15 AM with the headline "2-year-old among kids left alone for days after apparent murder-suicide, MS police say."