"She was planning on leaving, but she didn't leave fast enough," a neighbor said of the mother escaping the man's abuse.
Trigger warning: This article contains themes of graphic violence and domestic abuse that some readers may find distressing
Three children — 2-year-old triplets — went missing after their mother was killed in her living room by her partner in a murder-suicide. Maisah Larkin, 39, was shot to death inside her Philadelphia home allegedly by 37-year-old Stanley Baptiste who is believed to be her partner. Police were called to the scene on reports of a "person screaming," at around 8 pm on December 18. They found Larkin dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the head, reports PEOPLE. Her children were nowhere to be found. The next day police found Baptiste inside an SUV in Lansdale, Pa. where he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he died of a gunshot wound. The triplets — a girl and two boys were once again nowhere to be found.
3 Children Found Safe After West Oak Lane Homicide; Man found dead in Montgomery Co. - https://t.co/MJ2Li3w8Cs pic.twitter.com/vHvMKGqo8q
— Filmy Chuna (@filmychuna) December 19, 2022
That is until police learned the suspect left the children with friends of the family, WPVI reports. The babies were safe and uninjured about 35 miles from Philadelphia the next day and are now in their grandmother's custody. The incident was a result of domestic abuse, according to authorities. Brenda Lovelace, Larkin's neighbor, said she knew the mother-of-three was in danger. "From what she was telling me, is that he was abusive. She was planning on leaving, but she didn't leave fast enough," Lovelace said. "I am still in shock," Lovelace added. "When I heard what happened I just broke down and cried." Her story serves as yet another cautionary tale to women who find themselves in abusive situations to get out as early as they can no matter how difficult it may seem at first. Research claims that there are at least 10 million people in the United States alone who are affected by family and domestic health violence every year.
2-Year-Old Triplets Found Safe the Day After Father Kills Mother in Murder-Suicide https://t.co/Arg8OKd3tR
— People (@people) December 21, 2022
A GoFundMe has been set up for the triplets which stated "It would be a huge help to receive any amount as a donation. The children currently reside in Pennsylvania and will need to be moved with family to another city. 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. 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." The page has so far raised $7,590 at the time of publication.
Maisah Larkin, Stanley Baptiste Obituary, Mother, Father Of 3 Shot And Killed At Haines Street In West Oak Lane; Children Who Went Missing After Mother’s Death Found https://t.co/mVs3tIGc5b
— UrbanLife (@UrbanLi09290130) December 19, 2022
If you are being subjected to domestic abuse or know of anyone else who is, please visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call 1-800-799-7233, or text LOVEIS to 22522.
References:
https://people.com/crime/toddler-triplets-found-safe-after-mom-killed/
https://6abc.com/philadelphia-pa-missing-children-west-oak-lane-homicide-stanley-baptist/12588573/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/new-start-for-triplets-without-parents
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891/
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
