Minnesota woman accused of killing two children, leaving with another and setting a house on fire

BLACKDUCK, Minn. (AP) — A northern Minnesota woman killed two children, set a house on fire and escaped with another child, according to an indictment unsealed Monday.

Jennifer Marie Stately, 35, was charged with first-degree murder, child abuse murder, arson, arson murder and child neglect. Her attorney, Paul Engh, said in an email to The Associated Press that there was a “firm basis” for a not guilty plea, but did not elaborate.

Authorities did not name the victims, but the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that they were Stately’s children, ages 6 and 5.

The indictment said Stately attacked the children with a knife on the Red Lake Indian Reservation on March 15, set the house on fire and then left with a third child. The Star Tribune said the third child is her 3-year-old son.

One of the children died from a stab wound. The other died of smoke inhalation from the fire, according to the indictment and a news release from U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

An Amber Alert was issued shortly after the fire was discovered. About an hour later, a motorist spotted a vehicle matching the description and called 911. Officers in Todd County stopped Stately and found the surviving child, who had “visible signs of child neglect,” the news release from Luger’s office said.

Stately appeared in court Monday and was jailed pending further court proceedings.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said the case shows the value of Amber Alerts.

“We are grateful to the Minnesotan who acted quickly and courageously in this case and to all Minnesotans who participate in the search when a child needs it most,” Evans said in the news release.