UPDATE: Vigil Planned Tonight (June 5) To Mourn 2 East Haven Children Who Died Tragically

Update 2:45 p.m. Friday

Neighbors on Strong Street and residents of East Haven are still reeling over the tragedy that claimed the lives of Daaron Moore, 7, and Aleisha Moore, 6, who died inside their 541 Strong Street house Tuesday possibly due to a natural gas leak.

In an effort to help facilitate the healing, Strong Street residents have mobilized to hold a vigil Friday night (June 5). Originally, planned to be held in front of the their children’s house, interest swelled, and it’s been moved to the town Green, reports the New Haven Register.

The vigil begins at 8:15 p.m. and Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. will attend.

The children’s Strong Street house has turned into a makeshift memorial as there are toys, stuffed animals, candles, and balloons, the Register reports.

On Thursday Michael Moore, of Bridgeport publicly came forward to tell Fox CT that it was his children, Daaron, 7, and Aleisha, 6, who died inside their house in East Haven.

Police are investigating the cause of death and have called the children’s deaths “suspicious.” No criminal charges have been filed to date. Police on Friday told the Register they had no updates on their investigation.

In the interview, Moore said he was devastated by the news and he’s still grieving. He said his son loved life and always had fun, while his daughter was so bright, and talking to her was like talking to an adult, Fox CT reports in its interview.

Moore also confirmed that it was his ex-wife, LeRoya Moore, 36, who lived with the kids in East Haven. The couple divorced and the kids lived with his ex-wife in East Haven, but Michael Moore said he saw them often, and he always tried to put a smile on their face.

He declined comment on the Police Department’s investigation. A Give Forward campaign has been set up to help pay for his children’s funeral expenses. A goal of $10,000 has been set, and as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, $2,000 had been raised.

While Michael Moore is talking no one else is associated with the Police Department’s investigation.

Since Tuesday’s press conference some facts have still come to light though.

A 911 call released Wednesday revealed that the mother of the two children found dead in was suicidal before the incident.

The mother wrote a letter to her friend saying she planned to harm herself, which led the friend to check on the family Tuesday. In the 911 call, the friend told 911 that the mother indicated she had cut herself.

The New Haven Register reported Thursday afternoon that the Medical Examiner’s office said the cause of death won’t be finalized for up to eight weeks.

Additionally, the owner of the house is listed on property records as LeRoya Moore, the Register reports.

Past Criminal Charges

WTNH News 8 reports that the children’s mother, LeRoya Moore, was previously facing assault and breach of peace charges for an incident involving her and her ex-husband Michael Moore.

According to a police report obtained by News 8, LeRoya Moore is accused of hitting her husband in front of the children with a “clenched fist … leaving visible scratch marks.” A restraining order had been taken out against her, News 8 reports. The mother was also convicted in 2006 of a risk of injury to a minor charge.

The Hartford Courant reports that in 2006 LeRoya Moore had two other children removed from her custody after she repeatedly beat her 4-year-old daughter with the handle of a sponge mop.

Meriden school officials at the time noticed numerous bruises on the girl. LeRoya Moore’s daughter said she was beaten for spilling juice and screaming, the Courant reports.

The girl’s brother said his mother once beat his sister 10 to 15 times on one occasion, and she’d get hit twice a week, the Courant reports. LeRoya Moore was also convicted in 2001 of reckless endangerment.

What Police Have Said

Up until now, police will only say they are conducting a “suspicious death investigation” after the two children, ages 5 and 7, were found dead inside their house.

Police said they believe a gas leak is responsible for the children’s deaths and injuries sustained to their mother, 36. Police have said they think the gas could have been turned on, on purpose.

It’s likely the children were in the house for more than 24 hours, officials said.

“It is a sad time for our town and our community,” Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. said, at a June 2 press conference.

Police confirmed that the father of the children was on scene Tuesday and he was devastated.

Emergency responders were called to the house at 2:41 p.m. Tuesday after the mother’s friend called police.

Upon arriving at the address, officers located a despondent 36 year-old female resident with apparent injuries, Police Lt. David Emerman has said.

“Upon further investigation, responding officers entered the residence and found an active gas leak within,” Emerman said. “While checking the residence for more occupants, officers located a deceased 5 year-old and 7 year-old. No other occupants of the residence were located.”

Responding officers exited the residence until fire personnel and the gas company could make the residence safe, police said.

Due to the exposure from the gas, three responding police officers were treated on scene by the East Haven Fire Department and later transported by AMR Ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital, police said.

Additionally, the mother of the deceased children was also transported via ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital. All three officers and the 36 year-old resident were all being treated for non-life threatening injuries, police said.

This investigation is being conducted by the East Haven Police Department Detective Division with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the East Haven Police Detective Division at 203-468-3827.

Image via the Give Forward campaign