Woman Arrested for Allegedly Fatally Stabbing 3 of Her Children During House Fire

A Georgia woman is facing murder charges after she allegedly stabbed three of her children to death during a house fire on Friday.

According to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, police responded to a call around 9:30 p.m. on Friday about a domestic disturbance and house fire. Upon arrival, officials found seven children inside the home, two of whom were pronounced dead on the scene after their mother, Darlene Brister, 40, reportedly stabbed them as the house was burning down.

“Two juveniles were pronounced deceased on scene: a 3-year-old with multiple apparent stab wounds and 9-month-old. Three additional juveniles, ages 5, 9, and 11 were transported to local hospitals. The remaining two juveniles, ages 14 and 16 did not appear to have injuries,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Law enforcement confirmed the 5-year-old later died from their injuries, while the 9-year-old was in critical but stable condition.

Brister has been charged with two counts of malice murder, and is being held at the Paulding County Detention Center without bond. 

“As the investigation continues additional charges are imminent, but no additional charges have yet been filed,” the sheriff’s office said.

Ricky Brister, Darlene’s husband and the father of the three victims, was not home when the deaths occurred. Speaking with Fox 5 about what transpired, Brister said he is still processing “so much” loss.

“She was hurt…she was…she lost it,” he said of Darlene, as seen above.

Brister went on to ask his community for financial assistance, as his oldest four children lost everything in the fire. 

“I am hurt, but I have to be strong, that’s all I know, I have to be strong,” he said. “My children are OK. We need a place to stay more than anything right now. They need shoes, clothes, you know, stuff like that.”