PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Investigators believe a Philadelphia woman killed her twin babies and attempted to kill her young daughter and then herself because she thought the children’s father was having an affair with a family member.
The horrific discovery was made Thursday afternoon inside a home in the 6300 block of Ditman Street in the city’s Tacony section.
Philadelphia police say 41-year-old Stacey Smalls is suspected in the death of her twin babies — an 18-month-old girl named Eve and a boy named Adam. Smalls, police say, is suspected of strangling one twin and drowning the other.
In addition, police say she gave her four-year-old daughter some type of substance to drink in a suspected attempt to take her life.
The four-year-old was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children where she is listed in stable but guarded condition.
Police say Smalls then attempted to take her own life by cutting her wrists. Smalls remains in the hospital, but when she is released, she is expected to be charged with murder, police said.
Police sources say Smalls left a note at the home addressed to the children’s father letting him know that she did what she is accused of doing because she learned that he was allegedly having an affair with a family member. Police say the father is the one who made the discovery and called 911.
Neighbors told Eyewitness News that Smalls worked as a nurse at an area hospital.
Philadelphia homicide detectives are investigating.
