Massachusetts Mom Accused of Killing Children Made Chilling Plan That “Didn’t Work” Amid Divorce Battle

A Massachusetts mother was arrested during a wellness check after two children were found dead inside her home in Wellesley. The mother has been charged with murder. The shocking discovery came on April 24. According to the New York Post, the mother confessed to killing the children in a statement to the police.

The mother has been identified as Janette MacAusland, 49. According to Bennington police, after she committed the crimes, the woman, who was an acupuncturist, fled to her aunt’s house in a “highly distraught” state. She was also reportedly bleeding from her neck.

At around 9:30 p.m. on April 24, the aunt called police for a wellness check at MacAusland’s home on Edgemoor Avenue. That is when officers made the discovery. Two children, Kai, 7, and Ella, 6, were found dead inside the home.

According to a police report, MacAusland confessed to killing the children. She told a Vermont police officer, “I strangled them, and then I tried to kill myself. I wanted the 3 of us to go to God together, but it didn’t work.”

According to the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, the woman was charged with two counts of murder on April 25.

According to court records, Janette’s ex-husband, Samuel MacAusland, filed for a divorce in October 2025. The two were married for nine years. During the filing, MacAusland sought custody of their two children and the home.

Janette MacAusland later filed a counterclaim seeking custody of the children and the home. On April 16, both parties agreed to involve a neutral third party after filing a joint motion. On April 21, a guardian was appointed to make recommendations about custody.

The shocking news has rocked the community. Wellesley Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Lussier said in a statement, “This is an unimaginable loss that will be deeply felt not just at Schofield but across our entire community.”

The children were students at the Schofield Elementary School, with one being in the second grade and the other being the kindergartner. Lussier added, “Our crisis team is planning support for students, staff, and families as we prepare for the reopening of school on Monday. I ask that we all keep this family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

A neighbor who knew the family said the situation was surprising. “[The kids] seemed very well cared for; their parents seemed to love them a lot. None of this seems consistent with what we've seen walking our dog by the house. It's very sad and horrible. These were adorable little kids,” the neighbor said.

Another neighbor, Vicky Chen, said, “I feel very sad for the loss of the two kids. Everyone feels very bad for the loss of the two kids. We just wonder what is going on."

MacAusland is being held at Marble Valley Correctional Facility in Vermont, where she also faces a charge of being a fugitive from justice.