Massachusetts Mother Remains in Custody After Being Accused of Killing Her Two Young Children

A Massachusetts mother accused of killing her two young children remains behind bars after a judge rejected a request for her release.

Janette MacAusland, 49, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, is accused of killing her children, Kai, 7, and Ella, 6, in April 2026.

According to police records, MacAusland allegedly told Vermont authorities that she “strangled them” before later attempting to take her own life.

The case returned to court on September 10, 2026, when MacAusland’s attorney, Joseph Krowski, asked the court to release her and dismiss the case. The defense argued that there was insufficient information to justify keeping MacAusland detained.

The judge rejected the request.

MacAusland remains held without bail while facing two charges of first-degree murder.

She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case has left two young children dead and their family facing an unimaginable loss, while the legal proceedings continue to focus on the circumstances surrounding their deaths and MacAusland’s mental state at the time of the alleged killings.

The allegations against MacAusland have not been proven in court, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NY Post