Bulacan mom nabbed for killing, burning own children

CITY OF MEYCAUAYAN, Philippines — Four children, including a one-year-old boy, were allegedly stabbed and killed in their sleep, and then burned, by their own mother in Barangay (village) Iba here on Sunday, police said on Monday.

Marie Dexter Darlucio, 33, appeared to have murdered her children at 1 a.m. as they slept inside a unit of the Berboso Apartments in Barangay Iba, said Police Officer 3 Rafael Briñoza, the investigating officer of the Meycauayan city police.

Neighbors and village officials responded to a fire alarm at the family’s apartment unit and discovered the charred remains of Karyl Franz, 9; Seth Benedict, 7; Zane Jacob, 3; and York Joshua, 1.

But Darlucio, who was rescued form the blaze with minor burns, was taken into custody after investigators discovered that the children bore stab wounds, Briñoza said.

He said the children were laid out side by side, and may have been wrapped in a blanket, before the fire was set off.

Briñoza said investigators discovered that Darlucio had a history of mental illness and was about to be placed in a mental health institution by her relatives when the tragedy occurred.

Police took Darlucio to the Santa Clara de Montefalco Hospital in here for treatment and was later detained at the Meycauayan city jail.