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A Massachusetts woman who had been seeking custody of her two young children in a divorce is accused of killing them in their home, according to authorities and court records.<\/p>\n
Massachusetts State Police issued an arrest warrant Saturday charging Janette MacAusland, 49, of Wellesley, with two counts of murder in the deaths of her children, 7-year-old Kai and 6-year-old Ella. MacAusland is being held in Vermont, where she is expected to appear Monday in Bennington County Superior Court on a fugitive from justice charge as authorities seek to have her returned to Massachusetts.<\/p>\n
The investigation began Friday night when Wellesley Police received a call from a Vermont police department requesting a well-being check on family members at a home in Wellesley. Police found the children dead.<\/p>\n
Probate court records show Samuel MacAusland filed for divorce in October after nine years of marriage and sought custody of the children and the home. Janette MacAusland later filed a counter claim also seeking custody and the home. On April 16, they filed a joint motion agreeing to have a neutral third party investigate and make recommendations about custody, and a guardian ad litem was appointed on April 21.<\/p>\n
Information about the criminal case, including whether MacAusland is being represented by an attorney, was not available Sunday. Attorneys representing both MacAuslands could not be reached for comment. <\/p>\n
The children were in kindergarten and second grade at Schofield Elementary School, where counselors will be on site Monday to provide support. In a statement Saturday night, Superintendent David Lussier asked the community to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an unimaginable loss that will be deeply felt not just at Schofield but across our entire community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n