CHICAGO, IL – A heartbreaking incident unfolded in the Logan Square neighborhood Friday morning, leaving a young boy dead and two siblings injured after their mother allegedly stabbed them and set their home ablaze.
Marissa Sulek, reporting from Stroger Hospital, shared that a 13-year-old girl is in critical condition, having suffered stab wounds to the face, chest, and back. Her 10-year-old brother remains hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities report that their mother, in a shocking turn of events, attacked the children before igniting the fire.
Residents of the 3600 block of West Palmer Street were allowed back into their homes Friday afternoon to salvage what they could after the fire, which started around 9 a.m. Displaced families searched for pets and belongings amidst the devastation.
Dorothy Katz, who lived in an upstairs unit, recounted waking to the sound of fire alarms. She managed to rescue her pets before being treated for smoke inhalation. Katz revealed unease about living near the mother now accused of this tragic act.
Police confirm that the 45-year-old woman used a knife to stab multiple individuals before the fire spread to an adjacent house. Emergency responders discovered three children inside the burning home, one of whom, a four-year-old boy, tragically did not survive.
Dispatch reports described a chaotic scene, with officers finding at least one child covered in blood and trapped in the basement as flames engulfed the building. Katz recalled the young boy fondly, expressing sorrow over his death but hoping he is at peace.
Community members are now urging vigilance regarding mental health, emphasizing the importance of checking in with friends and family. The mother, unharmed, is currently in police custody as the investigation continues.