Boston Suburb Mother Arrested in Vermont for Alleged Double Homicide

A mother from a well-off Boston suburb has been taken into custody in Vermont, with charges stemming from the deaths of her two young children.

Janet McCausland, 49, who hails from Wellesley, Massachusetts, was arrested Friday evening at her family’s residence in Bennington, Vermont. She reportedly appeared “very distraught” and had a bloody wound on her neck when police arrived.

According to a statement from the Bennington Police Department, officers tried to communicate with her, but their concern grew over the welfare of her children during the interaction.

Subsequently, police reached out to authorities in Wellesley for a welfare check at her home, where they discovered the shocking news: McCausland’s two children were found dead.

McCausland is facing charges as a fugitive, with Massachusetts issuing a criminal warrant against her for two counts of murder. Currently, she is being held at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility in Vermont and is set to appear in Rutland Criminal Division Court on Monday.

As of now, it is unclear whether McCausland has legal representation.

This troubling situation is further complicated by McCausland’s personal life; her husband, Samuel McCausland, filed for divorce last October after nearly a decade of marriage, citing “irreparable marital breakdown.” Reports indicate he was seeking custody of their two children, Kai, 7, and Ella, 6, who attended Schofield Elementary School.

The Wellesley Public Schools district expressed shock at the tragic loss, noting the deaths of the second grader and kindergartener. The district stated, “This is an unimaginable loss that will be felt deeply not only at Schofield but throughout the community. Our crisis management team is planning support for our students, staff, and families in preparation for the return to school on Monday. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”