Deputies find 3 children killed, 2 injured in Ellis County home; 1 in custody: sheriff

Three children were found dead and two others were injured in a house in Ellis County city Italy Friday afternoon, the deputies say.

Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Cosby said law enforcement officers were first called around 4 p.m. to a house on the 300 block of South Harris Street, near Stafford ISD Elementary School in Italy.

“Three dead were found in the house,” Cosby said. All the victims were children. Two children were taken to the hospital. A suspect has been arrested in the case.”

Investigators have not yet described the circumstances of the death, and details about the injured children are still unknown.

Cosby said the man he named as a suspect was detained in connection with the investigation and “there was no danger to the public at this time.”

Family members tell NBC 5 that they were killed by the children’s mother.

“I say I love you all and will always blow my horn when I see them go to school,” Cousin Shamelia Anderson said of the murdered children.

Family and community members gathered in just a few homes for a prayer vigil for the community. They pray for peace and understanding.

“I just want everyone to know they are beautiful angels and love them,” Anderson said. “I know that God never makes mistakes. I just want to say that they got wings.”

Further details were not immediately available. Cosby said the investigation remains “fluid” and more details will be released as they become available.

“Now the most important thing is our prayers for those who are involved,” he said.

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