A Tennessee mother is accused of killing her two young children by smothering them with a Lilo and Stitch blanket.
Jessica Chandler is charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, according to court records in Washington County, Tennessee. WJHL, WCYB, and Johnson City Press, citing authorities, report that the charges stem from the deaths of her 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son in October.
It is unclear whether Chandler has entered any pleas, though she did appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, January 7.
During the hearing, investigators testified that the two children died from asphyxiation.
“[Chandler] stated on the property list that she used a Lilo & Stitch blanket to suffocate Vista in her bed,” Johnson County Criminal Investigator Michael Fowler said during the hearing. WJHL published a video of his testimony.
WJHL reported that investigators suspected the children had been poisoned before the autopsy.
When their father arrived at Chandler’s home on October 29, he discovered both children unresponsive, according to the outlet.
All three outlets reported that police discovered handwritten notes in Chandler’s home indicating that she had murdered her children and intended to commit suicide.
According to Fowler’s reported testimony, the notes allegedly provided several reasons for the killings, including her inability to protect her children.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Child help National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org.
