Janette MacAusland, 49, was arrested in Bennington, Vermont, after arriving at a family residence appearing distraught and with a bloody neck wound. Vermont police alerted Wellesley authorities, who discovered the couple's two children—7-year-old Kai and 6-year-old Ella—dead at their Massachusetts home. Massachusetts has issued two counts of murder; MacAusland is held in Vermont and is due to be arraigned Monday in Rutland.
Wellesley Mother Arrested in Vermont After Two Children Found Dead; Murder Charges Issued
Mother from affluent Boston suburb accused of murdering two children during custody dispute
Janette MacAusland, 49, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, was taken into custody by Bennington, Vermont, police Friday night after she arrived at a family residence in Bennington appearing "highly distraught" and with a visible, bloody wound to her neck.
Investigation and Charges
Bennington police said officers attempted to speak with MacAusland and became increasingly concerned for the welfare of her children. Vermont authorities contacted Wellesley police and requested a welfare check at the family's home in Massachusetts. When Wellesley officers responded, they discovered the couple's two children deceased at the residence.
Massachusetts prosecutors have issued a criminal warrant charging MacAusland with two counts of murder. She is being held at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility in Vermont and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon in Rutland Criminal Division court. Court officials said they did not know whether she had retained an attorney in Rutland.
Family Background
Court records show MacAusland's husband, Samuel MacAusland, filed for divorce in October after nine years of marriage, citing an "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." The filings list the couple's children as seven-year-old Kai and six-year-old Ella; Samuel MacAusland had been seeking custody of the children.
Community Response
The children attended Schofield Elementary School. In a statement, Wellesley Public Schools said the district was "devastated to learn of the tragic death of two of our WPS students," referring to a second-grader and a kindergartener. The district said its crisis team is preparing support for students, staff and families as schools reopen and asked the community to keep the family in their thoughts during this difficult time.
Bennington Police Department: "Officers attempted to engage her in conversation and, during the interaction, became increasingly concerned for the welfare of her children."
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities have described MacAusland's arrest as taking her into custody as a fugitive from justice after the warrant was issued by Massachusetts authorities.
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