A quiet Massachusetts town is in shock after a disturbing case involving a mother accused of killing her two young children—and the chilling details are leaving many shaken.
Janette MacAusland, 49, was arrested Friday night, April 24, after police in Bennington, Vermont, responded to a wellness check at a relative’s home. According to reports, she showed up in a distraught state—prompting concern for her children back in Massachusetts.
Those fears quickly turned into tragedy.
Officers in Wellesley were alerted and sent to the family’s home, where they discovered the bodies of her two children inside.
The victims have been identified as 7-year-old Kai MacAusland and 6-year-old Ella MacAusland.
Back in Vermont, police reportedly found MacAusland with a large, severe gash across her neck when they arrived at the relative’s home. Authorities described the wound as “major,” noting she was bleeding heavily and appeared extremely distressed at the scene.
Investigators have not yet released full details about what happened inside the Wellesley home, but prosecutors say MacAusland is expected to face two counts of murder.
The case also comes amid an ongoing family dispute. Reports say her husband, Samuel MacAusland, filed for divorce last October and sought custody of the children and the family home. MacAusland had reportedly filed a countersuit seeking the same. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
MacAusland, who previously worked as an acupuncturist and was affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, appeared in a Vermont courtroom Monday and waived her extradition rights. She is expected to be returned to Massachusetts within the next two weeks to face charges.
She is currently being held in custody at a correctional facility in Rutland, Vermont.
Back in Wellesley, the tragedy has left the community reeling. The local school system, where both children were enrolled, made counselors available to support students and families as they process the loss.
Those who knew the family say the news is almost impossible to comprehend.
A former babysitter described the children as happy and healthy, saying nothing ever seemed wrong.
“It doesn’t feel real at all,” she said. “Not that it should happen anywhere—but especially not somewhere like this.”