An indictment announced on Monday revealed a horrifying incident in northern Minnesota, where a woman stands accused of killing two children, setting a house on fire, and fleeing with another child. The accused, Jennifer Marie Stately, 35, faces charges including premeditated murder, murder while committing child abuse, arson, murder while committing arson, and felony child neglect.
The victims, although not officially named by authorities, were reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune to be Stately's own children, aged 6 and 5. The indictment details that Stately allegedly attacked the children with a knife on March 15 at the Red Lake Indian Reservation, before setting the house ablaze and leaving with a third child, identified as her 3-year-old son.
Tragically, one child succumbed to a stab wound, while the other perished due to smoke inhalation from the fire, as confirmed by the indictment and a statement from U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Following the discovery of the fire, an Amber Alert was issued, leading to a swift response from a vigilant motorist who spotted a vehicle matching the description and promptly alerted authorities. Deputies in Todd County intercepted Stately, finding the surviving child in a state indicative of child neglect.
Appearing in court on Monday, Stately was remanded into custody pending further legal proceedings. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans emphasized the importance of Amber Alerts, citing this case as a poignant example of community involvement and swift action in safeguarding children in distress.
'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,' Evans expressed in a news release.
