Mother charged with stabbing husband and four young children to death
A mother has been arrested and charged with stabbing her husband and four young children to death.
Four children, all aged under 10, were found dead in a home outside Atlanta while a fifth child was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police arrested their mother Isabel Cartuno Martinez and charged her with five counts of malice murder, five counts of murder and six counts of aggravated assault.
The slain man was later confirmed as the father of the children.
Police spokeswoman Corporal Michele Pihera said they might never understand what led someone to committing a series of such gruesome murders.
“What prompts a person to take the life of such innocent children and her spouse is something we may never understand,' she said.
“This is a horrendous crime not only for the victims but for the extended family, neighborhood and community.”
While no motive has been established, neighbour Letty Perez told local media that the Spanish-speaking mother was depressed about her father’s death.
Photos provided by the police department showed crime scene tape surrounding a the Gwinnett County home.
Authorities have since removed all the bodies which will be taken to the Gwinnett Medical Examiner's officer to have autopsies conducted.
