Mom charged with murder, arson and neglect after ‘stabbing boys, 5 & 6, and leaving one to die in house fire’
A MOM has been charged with killing two of her three sons and setting fire to their home before allegedly fleeing with their toddler brother.
Jennifer Stately, 35, is accused of stabbing Tristan, 5, and Remi, 6, and driving away with her third son on the night of March 15.
Police found Stately, of Red Lake, Minnesota, driving on the highway two hours after someone spotted her under a state-wide Amber Alert.
The mom’s three-year-old son was said to be with her – wounded and showing visible signs of neglect, according to reports.
Stately has since 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., U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced Monday.
One of her little boys died from stab wounds while the other died of smoke inhalation, according to court documents.
Stately was initially charged with third-degree assault, child torture, child neglect and malicious punishment of a child.
These initial charges were later dropped, however, because the alleged abuse took place on the Red Lake Reservation, a reservation of Native Americans in Indian Country and not in the state court jurisdiction, CBS News reported.
Courts involving tribal communities “hear all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases resulting from violations of the Tribal Code. Certain felony crimes are adjudicated in federal court,” according to Red Lake Nation.
Stately is currently in custody.
WOUNDED TODDLER
Todd County Sherriff’s Office said the toddler found with Stately on the night her other two children died, “had a very strong smell of body odor, as if he had not been washed or changed in a few days,” CBS News reported.
“His cheeks were red and the sores appeared to be bleeding.
“His feet were full of scabs that appeared to be a mix of old and new wounds.
“He did not seem to want to stand on his feet due to pain.”
The little boy was taken in for examination at Long Prarie Hospital and had open sores, lesions, and rotted teeth.
“It would be a very slow process for his healing,” hospital staff said, per Star Tribune.
An indictment alleged Stately did not give the toddler proper supervision, clothing, food, shelter, or health care.
He did not seem to want to stand on his feet due to pain.
Todd County Sherriff's Office
Cops also claimed Stately, “willfully and maliciously set fire to the building at 14320 Circle Pine Road in Red Lake … and the fire placed the life of another in jeopardy,” according to the indictment, per Star Tribune.
They were unable to reach the children’s father, Brian Graves Jr. Tristan, as well.
Officials are thankful they were able to locate Stately’s surviving toddler quickly to ensure his life and safety.
“This case is another example of how AMBER Alerts save lives,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said.
“They get critical information out quickly to millions of Minnesotans willing to step up to help rescue a child in mortal danger.
“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.”
Tristan has been described as an “outgoing spirited little boy who loved playing with his brothers,” an obituary said, per Red Lake Nation News.
“He loved anything ‘Sonic’ and was a protector of his brothers, even though he was the middle child.”
While Remi’s obituary said he was “a smart, funny, loving little boy who loved to play with his brothers.”
“He loved Jessie from Toy Story and Molly from Bubble Guppies.”