WELLESLEY, Mass. — A Wellesley mother accused of murdering her two children was pursuing custody of them and their home, according to court records.
Janette MacAusland, 49, of Wellesley was arrested and charged in Vermont with two counts of murder for the deaths of her children, 7-year-old Kai, and 6-year-old Ella.
On Friday night, police received a welfare check from Vermont, and found the kids deceased inside the home. It’s still unclear who made the welfare check call.
MacAusland is currently being held in Bennington County Superior Court on a fugitive from justice charge.
MacAusland’s husband, Samuel MacAusland, filed for divorce back in October of 2025, according to Norfolk Probate and Family Court records. MacAusland filed a counterclaim in November, and a Guardian ad Litem was appointed to investigate and make recommendations to the court to protect the best interests of Kai and Ella just last week.
“We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of two of our WPS students, a second grader and kindergartener at Schofield Elementary School. This is an unimaginable loss that will be deeply felt not just at Schofield but across our entire community,” Superintendent from Wellesley Public Schools said in a statement.
“Our crisis team is planning support for students, staff, and families as we prepare for the reopening of school on Monday. I ask that we all keep this family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Cale Darrah, a former babysitter for Kai and Ella, said she remembered the two young siblings as “full of life and laughter.”
“They were two beautiful children who were full of life and laughter, and it pains me to think that the world should remember them only by the way their lives were tragically ended,” she said.
“They are really lovely and active kids, really cute, it’s really hard to believe they are not here anymore. I’m sad to hear that,” neighbor Jerry Peng said.
“I thought they had a pretty good family because I never had a chance to talk with the mom yet,” Jerry Peng continued. “Normally, I would talk with the dad on the street.”
One neighbor told Boston 25 off camera, that the children would play outside often and brought joy to the area.
“They played a lot in the neighborhood,” he said. “I mean it seemed lovely, they always smiled, the parents always smiled, we watched them get a little older, they were riding their bikes, very surprising to hear.”
Some residents described seeing who they assumed was the father, more often than the mother.
“They were nice people, never aggressive or anything,” Jeffrey Peng said. “Always kind, always cheerful.”
MacAusland is expected to be arraigned on Monday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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