A young girl who died from drowning on Monday was pictured by her devastated father.
4-year-old Liliana Stephen died at Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn along with her brothers Zachary Merdy, 7, and Oliver Bondarev, 3 months.
Following the children’s untimely passing, the police arrested their mother, 30-year-old Erin Merdy, who was found walking around barefoot some two miles from the spot where her children were discovered.
The mother, who is reportedly suffering from post-partum depression, has since been arrested and charged with three counts of murder.
As the coroner revealed, all three children died of frowning, whereas all evidence currently suggests that the mother was responsible for the killings.
Liliana’s grieving father, Shamir Small, has since shared a picture of his baby girl and began grieving for the “happy” and bubbly child.
Meanwhile, Erin Merdy’s mother, Jacqueline Scott, spoke out in an interview with New York Daily News and told the publication that her daughter was a good mom while suggesting her post-partum depression might have played a role in the triple homicide.
“She might have been going through postpartum depression. She was a good mother,” Scott said.
“I reached out to her yesterday and she said she was doing laundry and I said I wanted to speak to the kids. I tried to call her twice on the phone and there was no answer.”
As NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig has since confirmed, the police believe the mother “went into the water and drowned the kids.”
Essig, however, refused to comment on the motive saying they will leave that part “up to the health care professionals.”
Speaking out after the shocking discovery were also neighbors of the family who branded the kids as happy. One neighbor, 54-year-old Victor Rodriguez, also shared his own theory saying the pandemic might have contributed to the mother’s degrading mental health.
“I used to see her all the time, her kids would always ask if they could pet my dog. Everything seemed fine with her but when Covid hit she looked depressed. She wasn’t so friendly anymore. And kept to herself,” Rodriguez said.
“It’s devastating, especially when you know the kids. They were very sweet and respectful they seemed happy kids – not a care in the world.
“I think Covid had something to do with it. Before Covid and after Covid it was like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – two different people.”
What are your thoughts on this matter? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post with your family and friends. For more news and stories, follow us on Facebook!
Recommended Video For You!
Sons Surprise Ailing Mother For Her Birthday