Mom Accused of Killing Twins Appears in Court

The Tacony mother who allegedly killed her twins in an attempted murder-suicide appeared in court this morning for a formal arraignment.

The Tacony mother who allegedly killed her twins in an attempted murder-suicide appeared in court this morning for a formal arraignment.

Last May, Stacey Newkirk, 41, attempted to commit suicide by slitting her own wrists after she allegedly killed her 1-1/2-year-old son Adam and the boy's twin sister Eve -- drowning one and strangling the other, Philadelphia Police said.

Police sources tell NBC10 that Newkirk left four notes explaining that she hurt the children because she was apparently upset after finding out on Mother's Day that her husband, Ron Smalls, was allegedly having an affair with Stacey's daughter from another relationship.

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"She had something that she felt was justification but there is no justification... it’s a tragedy two young babies dead and there is no excuse for that," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told NBC10.

"Stacey Smalls was transported into the homicide unit and was arrested and charged with two counts of murder," police Capt. James Clark said.

Neighbors said that the father came home on the afternoon of May 24 and called 911. His twin children were dead, his 4-year-old daughter was poisoned and his wife had slit her wrists, cops said.

Newkirk was taken to Frankford Hospital while the 4-year-old girl was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital where she was treated and released, police said.

Ron Smalls told NBC10 he would live with the incident for the rest of his life and asked for privacy.

"He's not talking to us and he's being very distant from us," said Ball. "We wish that he would talk so we could bring some closure." 

Newkirk arrived in court for a formal arraignment today at 11 a.m. She faces murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault charges.


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