3 Children Dead After Woman Tried To Stab Them As House Burned: Police

ROCKMART, GA — Three children are dead and a woman is charged with murder after an attempted stabbing and house fire occurred simultaneously Friday night in Rockmart, according to police.

Authorities were called about 9:15 p.m. regarding the incident in the 700 block of Woodwind Drive, where it was reported that a home was on fire and a woman inside was trying to stab the other occupants of the residence, police said.

The fire was extinguished and seven children were found inside the house, two of whom were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. Three of the children were taken to local hospitals, one of whom later died, police said, adding the remaining two were not injured.

A woman later identified as 40-year-old Darlene Brister was found on the property and taken into custody, according to police. She was charged with two counts of malice murder and is being held with no bond, police said, noting more charges are likely.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff’s office tip line at 770-443-3047 or submit a tip via the Paulding County sheriff's mobile app.