Police Find 2 Children Stabbed to Death in Naperville Home

Two children were found stabbed to death Tuesday night during a wellbeing check at a townhouse on the 800 block of Quin Court in Naperville, police said. 

Police have a person of interest in custody and charges may be forthcoming, according to a media release. The Chicago Tribune reports that the woman being questioned is the mother of one of the children and was babysitting the other. One child was a 5-year-old girl and the other was the woman's 7-year-old boy.

READ MORE: Community Reacts After Children Stabbed to Death in Naperville Home

The woman is in her 40s and originally from Poland, according to ABC 7. A neighbor described the woman in custody as "a very nice lady," and said she and her child moved into the home shortly before school started several months ago.

ABC reports that two dogs were also found stabbed to death in the home. Animal control representatives entered and exited the home within a half hour early Wednesday afternoon, carrying towels and dog crates.

Crime scene investigators were at the home around noon Wednesday. A gray unmarked van backed into the garage around that time and left a half hour later. Several squad cars remained on the scene around 1:30 p.m.

Naperville police do not believe any other suspects are at large, according to the media release. 

The younger child was a kindergarten student at Brookdale Elementary School in Indian Prairie District 204, while the other child attended Scott Elementary School in Naperville District 203.

"(District 203's) crisis team is in place this morning to support students and staff as they cope with this news," Brookdale Principal Mary Howicz said in a statement Wednesday morning. "They will remain in place for as long as necessary as students work through their feelings and grief."

Howicz said referred parents to this resource for guidance in speaking with children about what happened.

District 204 also deployed its crisis team and had counselors on hand at the school throughout the day Wednesday.

"My thoughts, condolences and well wishes go out to all the families involved in this terrible loss, as well as the entire Naperville community," District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said in a letter Wednesday afternoon. "... It is important to remember at times like this that we are one community, one Naperville. This community, along with our neighbors, will find strength in each other that will sustain us in this difficult time."

Naperville Professional Firefighters Local 4302 called the incident "an awful tragedy" on their Facebook page Wednesday morning.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who suffer in this loss," the post said. "We are also thinking and praying for our brothers and sisters who responded to this scene."

Naperville police said they are working with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office on the case and will hold a joint press conference Thursday. 

Patch editor Collin Czarnecki is reporting from the scene. Check back with Naperville Patch as we update this developing story.

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