Massachusetts Acupuncturist Suspected in Children’s Deaths

A Massachusetts acupuncturist is under suspicion for the deaths of her two young children amidst a contentious divorce and custody battle, according to police reports.

Janet McCosland, 49, is accused of allegedly killing her children, 7-year-old Kai and 6-year-old Ella, at their home in Wellesley last Friday night. Following the incident, she reportedly fled to a relative’s place in Vermont.

Worried family members contacted authorities, prompting a welfare check on McCosland, who was found “very distraught” and with a neck injury. Some reports have indicated that she had a visible wound on her throat.

“Officers tried to talk to her, but they quickly grew concerned about her children’s welfare,” stated Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette.

The exact cause of the children’s deaths remains unclear at this point.

It has not yet been confirmed whether McCosland’s neck injury was self-inflicted. She has been engaged in a custody struggle after her husband filed for divorce last October, after nearly a decade of marriage.

According to court documents, the children’s father, Samuel McCosland, was pursuing custody of the children in addition to their home.

Records indicate that recently, the parents had filed a joint motion to have a third party assess and make recommendations regarding the ongoing custody disagreement.

A guardian was appointed just days before the tragic events unfolded on April 21.

Kai and Ella were both students at Schofield Elementary School, where they were known to be well-loved by their teachers and classmates.

A former babysitter, Kale Dollar, described the children as vibrant and joyful. “They were two beautiful children full of life and laughter, which is why it’s heartbreaking that they are being remembered this way,” she shared.

In another reflection, Dollar noted, “McCosland was a caring mother. She seemed to carry the weight of parenting and household responsibilities.” She mentioned never feeling that anything was amiss during her visits.

Following the investigation, Massachusetts State Police have issued a warrant for McCosland, charging her with two counts of murder in connection with her children’s deaths.

Currently, she remains in custody in Vermont and is slated to appear in Bennington County Superior Court on Monday, as officials work on her extradition to Massachusetts.