XPost: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, dc.politics, alt.society.liberalism
XPost: alt.politics.democrats, talk.politics.guns

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- New details are emerging about a triple
homicide in a small North Valley town.

Investigators have arrested a 30-year-old woman who detectives say
killed her three young children.

"This is a big deal for that little town and this is something that
people are going to be, I think, discussing and talking about and
dealing with for a long time," said Merced County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Daryl Allen.

Toys, flowers and candles sit outside of the Le Grand apartment
where three young children were killed Wednesday.

Those children were identified as 8-year-old Anna, 5-year-old
Matteo, and 3-year-old Alexa Ortiz Lara.

Family members have given us a picture of the three young children
killed in Le Grand yesterday.

Anna Ortiz Lara, 8
Matteo Ortiz Lara, 5
Alexa Ortiz Lara, 3

The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses.https://t.co/ss2PUldF9I pic.twitter.com/xIIfHAYtNK

— Jessica Harrington (@JessicaABC30) January 13, 2022

The Merced County Sheriff's Office says during the investigation, it
was determined their mother, 30-year-old Patricia Ortiz, took their
lives before attempting to take her own.

"She's been cooperative, she's spoken with the detectives. I don't
know what the extent of those conversations is, but she has spoken
to them," said Deputy Allen.

The mother was taken to the hospital for her injuries and is
expected to be booked into the Merced County Jail for three counts
of murder.

The sheriff's office says Patricia Ortiz is married and they believe
it was her husband, the children's father, who first discovered the
crime scene.

Officials would not disclose the manner in which the children were
killed and investigators have not determined a motive.

A long-time family friend says the children were all very loving.
Anna, the oldest, was extremely kind and sang at church.

Alexa, the youngest, was joyful with a beaming smile.

Matteo, the only boy, was protective of his sisters and loved to run
around and play.

A few toys, flowers and candles have been set up in front of the
apartment where the kids were found. @ABC30
pic.twitter.com/0547hxxV1P

— Jessica Harrington (@JessicaABC30) January 13, 2022

Eduardo Martinez went to school with Matteo said they were good
friends. He said he liked to race on tricycles with Matteo.

Estrella Lupian, Eduardo's mother, said she was familiar with the
family and the murders have hit the tight-knit town hard.

"We didn't really talk very much, but we would see each other every
day when we would drop off the kids and they would play like my son
was saying," said Lupian.

Investigators say the two older children attended school Wednesday.

Le Grand Union Elementary School is just yards away from the
apartment complex where the murders happened.

Family members have set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral
expenses for the children, you can access it here.

The children attended Le Grand Elementary. The school released the
following statement Thursday:

"The Merced County Sheriff's Office notified Le Grand Elementary
School District officials yesterday afternoon that several students
were involved in a tragic situation off-campus. Sadly, those
students have passed away. Our school community is heartbroken by
this tragedy, and we grieve for this enormous loss. The details of
the situation are still unfolding, but whatever they are, this event
is very traumatic for our children, staff, and families. It is
heartbreaking to lose a student under any circumstance. We have
grief counselors on campus to support students, staff, and parents
as needed. Le Grand is a strong and resilient community, and we will
work together to process this tragedy."

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering
suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273
-TALK (8255).

https://abc30.com/murder-suicide-merced-county-le-grand-children- killed/11460117/

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)