East Haven Police Chief Brent Larrabee speaks to reporters at a press conference. (WTNH TV/Screenshot)
Their mother, who was also at the home, was hospitalized after she was found “despondent” and injured at the scene, the town’s mayor, Joseph Maturo, told reporters at a televised news conference. Officers also found that her home was filled with high levels of natural gas, and there was an active leak.
The 36-year-old woman and her children have not yet been officially named, but social media and public records identify the mother as LeRoya Moore. The deaths shook the quiet Spring Street neighborhood in the shoreline community as police swarmed the area to investigate.
The children, a boy and a girl, were ages 5 and 7, officials said.
Police said they believe the children were dead inside the home for more than 24 hours before they were found, according to the New Haven Register.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Mother Was Taken Into Custody at the Scene & Left in an Ambulance
The mother was seen being taken from the house at 541 Strong Street into a police car and then away from the scene by ambulance, according to the New Haven Register.
Police first arrived at the scene at about 2:40 p.m.
LeRoya Moore was “despondent,” Mayor Joseph Maturo said at a press conference.
The home was purchased in 2014 by the woman. Police said only she and the children live there.
2. Police Said They Believe the Gas Inside the Home Was Intentionally Turned On
LeRoya Moore. (Facebook)
The responding officers found an active gas leak inside the home. They had to exit the home until the fire department could respond. Officials said it appeared the gas was intentionally left on in the house.
Three officers were treated at the scene and later hospitalized for treatment related to inhalation of the natural gas, police said. Two of the officers have since been released from the hospital.
A tape of the 911 call that sent police to the home was released Wednesday.
Moore’s friend called 911 to tell police her “friend had sent her a letter that she was going to kill herself.” The friend was calling from outside Moore’s Strong Street home and was talking to Moore.
“She says she cut herself, but I can’t get in the house,” her friend says in the call. She tells the dispatcher Moore’s kids are there, “laying down in the house,” and the “door is locked.”
The friend says she was talking to Moore on the phone, but then hung up and called 911 when Moore said she cut herself.
3. The Mother Was Hospitalized With Wounds to Her Arms
State Police truck makes its way onto Strong St. http://t.co/Q5XfTK68Ld
Police said the mother was taken to the hospital with wounds to her harms. They said it was too early to say if the wounds were self-inflicted.
Moore was also treated for inhalation of natural gas. She is being guarded by an officer.
4. The Children’s Father Was Notified & Went to the Scene
LeRoya Moore posted this photo of her two kids to Facebook at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Police belief the kids died hours before that. (Facebook)
Officials said the children’s father, identified by the Hartford Courant as Michael Moore, LeRoya’s ex-husband, was notified and went to the home. He did not live with the children.
He was told the news by the police department’s chaplain. Police said he was “devastated.”
5. The State Police Major Crime Squad Is Investigating Along With Local Cops
Local detectives are being assisted by the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad. Detectives could be seen taking photos outside the home, according to reporters.
