Zakieya Latrice Avery, 28, and Monifa Denise Sanford, 21, have been charged in the deaths of two of Avery’s four kids ages 1 and 2, son and daughter, in Germantown, Md. They’ve also been charged with attempted murder of her older kids, ages 5 and 8, daughter and son.
Norell Harris, 1, and Zyana Harris, 2, died of multiple stab wounds. Taniya Harris, 5, and Martello Harris, 8, survived the exorcism but remain hospitalized at Children’s National Medical Center in northwest Washington.
A neighbor spotted a bloody knife lying near a car with the door ajar and called police.
A gruesome discovery was made and the women were arrested. Avery tried to flee the scene. Sanford was hospitalized and later arrested. The deceased children were believed to be attacked as they slept.
“Cases like this are heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims along with the 911 operators, police officers, evidence technicians, and fire and EMS personnel that responded,” Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger tells media.
Sanford and Avery each face two counts of first degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder and are being held without bond.
