HPP: This week, law enforcement officials in Tennessee provided a detailed account of how a mother murdered her son, who was one year old, and her daughter, who was four years old, by suffocating them with a “Lilo & Stitch” blanket.
A charge of first-degree murder and severe child abuse has been brought against Jessica Chandler, who is 29 years old, in connection with the deaths of her children, Vista and Eli Chandler.
After the father of the children discovered that they were unconscious on October 29, the Johnson City Police Department went to the residence to investigate.
During his testimony on Tuesday, Officer Gary Price stated that he arrived to the 911 call and discovered the father performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on one of the children in the front yard. This information was reported by WJHL in the courtroom.
While Eli stepped inside the house, doctors and other medical professionals arrived to provide assistance to Vista and Eli. Upon entering, he stated that he discovered Chandler in the bathtub, suffering from slashes at her arms.
Price stated, “A pack of razor blades with utility knives, I saw them sitting on the edge of the bathtub.”
Chandler was taken to the hospital by paramedics, but the children could not be saved. Investigators started looking into the deaths of the two young youngsters.
They were able to quickly collect important hints. According to investigator Michael Fowler’s testimony, he found three notes attached to cupboards close to the entryway. According to him, Chandler emailed them to confess to the killings and to committing suicide.
Fowler said that she believed she was unable to defend them, which was part of the reason.
Police initially believed Chandler might have poisoned the kids because they had not experienced any trauma. Yet another significant piece of the puzzle was revealed in a follow-up interview with Chandler.
Fowler testified, “She noted on the property list that she first suffocated Vista in her bed with a ‘Lilo & Stitch’ blanket.”
Chandler also acknowledged suffocating Eli in the same way. reportedly utilizing a blanket with Disney cartoon film characters on it.
According to an autopsy, the children suffocated to death.
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The judge decided there was sufficient evidence to forward the case to a grand jury. On a $2 million bond, she is still being held at the Washington County Jail. Her next court date is March 31.
Less than a week before his death, Eli had just celebrated his first birthday. Their brief but cherished lives were depicted in Vista and Eli’s obituary:
“Both children were perfect in every way. Vista loved riding her e-bike, swinging, playing in her sandbox, building forts, and playing with playdough. Eli just started walking and was into everything. He loved eating real food, playing with trucks, flopping around on the bed with his sister, and being outside in the yard. They were inseparable. Vista was the best big sister and had the biggest heart and she picked flowers for everybody. Eli was the happiest baby and was always smiling and laughing.”