Tragic Deaths of Children in New York Investigation Update
A recent toxicology report has shed light on the disturbing case involving four children who were allegedly killed by their mother and grandmother in an upstate New York murder-suicide. This tragic event unfolded on June 23 when police discovered six bodies in a Mechanicville apartment during a welfare check.
The victims were identified as 13-year-old Harper Harmon, 11-year-old Hudson Harmon, and 10-year-old twins, Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon. Alongside them lay the bodies of their mother, Sarah Myers, 44, and grandmother, Amy Steadman, 64.
According to Mechanicville Police, the children were murdered on June 10. Reports indicate that the plot may have begun as early as June 5, when Steadman allegedly began buying over-the-counter sleep aids and prescription medication. Curious online searches related to insulin’s effects on non-diabetic individuals were also found in her search history.
Correspondence between Steadman and Myers revealed their intentions to administer drugs to the children around 10:30 a.m. on June 10, before a planned phone call with their father, Brady Harmon, later that day. Harmon received a text on that date stating the children were experiencing stomach pains but would call him the following day. Afterward, all attempts to communicate with them went unanswered.
Chief Bill Rabbitt mentioned that three of the children had been poisoned, while Gavin was stabbed in an apparent attempt to defend himself. Police later discovered online searches from Steadman inquiring about the most fatal stabbing points.
Text messages between the two women indicated the children were not responding to the medication as expected, with one message expressing distress over the situation: “It’s not working, we need another option.”
Gracelynn, in a distressing message found on her iPad, questioned, “Why would you do that? You won’t let me puke.” In a final chilling message, Steadman reportedly stated, “Gracie is aware.”
The toxicology report revealed the presence of diphenhydramine, a common ingredient in Benadryl, and kratom in the children’s systems. The FDA has issued warnings regarding kratom, citing serious health risks.
At the crime scene, multiple letters were located, including one in which Steadman appeared to take responsibility for the children’s deaths, claiming it was a measure against supposed abuse by their father. Another letter allegedly authored by Myers accused Harmon of abusing the children in Utah and voiced anger towards the family court system.
Harmon has denied these accusations of abuse, maintaining that he had not seen his children since November 2019. He described alarming experiences with Myers, including an incident where she allegedly stabbed him in the face with a medicine dropper. He also mentioned multiple inquiries from child protective services regarding inadequate guardianship and educational neglect.
Harmon expressed heartbreak over the situation, stating, “They stabbed my son; they poisoned my children. All in the delusional state of, ‘We’re doing this for your benefit.'” He lamented, “My kids suffered… To poison them and also to stab them — there’s a special place in hell for people like that.”
In light of this horrific incident, Chief Rabbitt emphasized that the deliberate killing of children cannot be justified as protection. He urged the community to come together, support one another, and strive to prevent future tragedies.
Recently, Harmon was permitted limited custody of the children, and after their remains were cremated, he scattered their ashes on a mountaintop in Utah.
Records show that Harmon and Myers were married in December 2015, separated in 2019, and divorced in 2020, with both parents sharing joint custody of the children. Additionally, court documents indicated that Myers was scheduled to appear in court regarding compliance with custody terms just days after the children’s deaths.
