Philadelphia authorities have found the 2-year-old triplets who went missing after their father shot and killed their mother inside her home on Sunday in an apparent murder-suicide. They confirmed the three children are alive, healthy, and safe after being taken from their home on the night of the shooting and taken to a family member’s home.
The investigation is ongoing, but they’ve identified the victim as 39-year-old Maisah Larkin – the mother of the triplets. They’re treating the investigation as a homicide with a ‘domestic’ motive. The suspect in question is a 37-year-old man named Stanley Baptiste, who is believed to be the father of the triplets.
Police officers responded to a distress call of a person screaming around 8:00 p.m. in Larkin’s home in Philadelphia. Upon arriving, authorities found Larkin with multiple gunshot wounds to the head – she was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time, her triplets were nowhere to be seen and a search followed.
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On December 19th, the day after the shooting took place, authorities found Baptiste (suspect) dead in his Lincoln Navigator with a gunshot wound to the head. Police are labeling his death a suicide and the death of his partner as a murder-suicide. Unfortunately, the two-year-old triplets were still nowhere to be found.
The next day, authorities confirmed they found the triplets at a family member’s house in Lansdale, Pennsylvania – about a 30-minute drive from Philly. Relatives and friends of the family were relieved to learn that the three children were alive and well, but are still mourning the loss of Maisah Larkin.
In an interview with ABC 6, one of Larkin’s neighbors – Brenda Lovelace – accused Baptiste of being abusive towards the mother of three. “She was planning on leaving, but she didn’t leave fast enough. I am still in shock. When I heard what happened, I just broke down and cried,” said Lovelace to reporters.
The investigation is ongoing and authorities are asking anyone with information about Larkin or Lovelace to come forward so they can put the pieces together. Anyone experiencing domestic abuse of their own is being urged to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for immediate help.
Larkin’s Family Starts Fundraiser Days After Murder-Suicide
The family of Maisah Larkin has created a GoFundMe page for the 2-year-old triplets who are now left without a mother and father. The page is being organized by Alexis N’tae Mabry, the aunt of the triplets, with a goal of raising $70,000. As of the morning of December 22, they’ve raised more than $7,500.
“Donations will go toward transportation to the memorial services and new home, moving expenses, diapers, food, clothing, gas, childcare, a vehicle, and more that will come along with all the changes that are taking place each day,” said Mabry, adding that the children need to be moved to a different city.
Dozens of donations have poured in over the past 24 hours, since the page was created. Some donations are as small as $10, while others are as large as $1,000 – a majority of the donations fall within $25 and $50. With nearly $8,000 in 24 hours, it goes to show how quickly small donations can add up.
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“We thank you so much and hope that you’ll keep the entire family in your prayers during this difficult healing process without Maisah here Earthside,” Mabry continued. As for the investigation, the Philadelphia Homicide Unit is currently leading the investigation with more details being released soon.
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