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Police: Point Breeze Mother Identified After Admitting Killing Her Two Kids

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --Philadelphia Police have now identified the 27-year-old mother who confessed to killing her two children Wednesday evening.

Chanthy_Mao
(Credit: Philadelphia Police)

The mother has been identified by police as 27-year-old Chanthy Mao.

Wednesday night, the children's grandmother came home to find her two young grandchildren murdered inside their shared bedroom.

An unidentified family member ran to the crime scene only to discover the heartbreaking news.

Police arrived to the home near 18th and Morris streets in South Philadelphia just after 5 p.m.

"While inside they see two young children, an eight-year-old male (and) a 12-year-old female, stabbed several times.  Both were pronounced on scene," said Philadelphia Police Lt. Ray Evers.

The children's own mother, later identified by police as Chanthy Mao, was immediately arrested and taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to undergo a mental evaluation.

Police indicate the young mother was acting bizarre and may have taken several pills.

"It's something that is very difficult for the police to deal with, of course the family, the neighbors everyone. This is an unusual incident. It's very tragic. It's very sad," Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

Neighbors tell Eyewitness News, the mother and her two children moved to the United States from Cambodia about a year and a half ago.

"No indication of mental issue, anxiety, or depression. Based on my judgment, I don't think she has any problem with that," said family friend Chea Meas.

The mother faces two counts of homicide and is now in police custody.

Reported by Todd Quinones, CBS 3

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