A Minnesota woman has been charged with murdering two children, neglecting a third, and setting a house on fire before fleeing the scene.
Jennifer Marie Stately, 35, allegedly stabbed two children, believed to be hers, multiple times before setting fire to the residence where she was staying on March 15, the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release. One child died as a result of the stab wounds, while the other died of smoke inhalation from the fire allegedly started by Stately.
Stately is accused of then fleeing the scene with a third child. Around 9:00 p.m. on the night of the murders, an Amber Alert was issued for the child, with Stately’s license plate listed on the alert. Another driver saw her vehicle and called police, who stopped Stately’s vehicle and was able to rescue the abducted child, who was “suffering from visible signs of child neglect” and “covered in wounds,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Stately has been charged with one count of premeditated murder, one count of murder in the course of committing child abuse, one count of murder in the course of committing arson, one count of arson, and one count of felony child neglect.
“This case is another example of how AMBER Alerts save lives. They get critical information out quickly to millions of Minnesotans willing to step up to help rescue a child in mortal danger,” Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said. “We are grateful to the Minnesotan who acted quickly and bravely in this case, and to all Minnesotans who join in the search when a child needs them most.”
The two children who died were identified in an indictment obtained by the Star Tribune as 5 and 6 years old. The third child is believed to be Stately’s 3-year-old. The Daily Wire is not naming the children.
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Attorney Paul Engh, who is representing Stately, said there was a “firm basis” for his client to plead not guilty but did not provide a reason, the Associated Press reported.
Stately appeared in court on Monday and was ordered to remain in jail until further court proceedings.
“The loss of innocent lives demands swift and decisive action,” Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis said in the U.S. Attorney’s press release. “Through seamless collaboration with our state and local counterparts along with the invaluable support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are steadfast in our resolve to pursue justice for the victims. We stand united in seeking closure and healing for the affected family and their community.”