Dimone Fleming faces murder charges in stabbing death of her two children
NEW YORK -- The mother of two young boys found dead with stab wounds in a bathtub is facing criminal charges and may be arraigned as soon as Monday night.
On Monday, CBS2's Kristie Keleshian spoke to the father of one of the boys.
"Rest easy young kings" is just one of the many messages written on the memorial sitting outside the shelter where 3-year-old Dashawn Fleming and 11-month-old Octavius Fleming-Canada were found dead in a bathtub on Saturday night.
The boys were half brothers, both related to their mom, 22-year-old Dimone Fleming, also known as Brenda. The family of Fleming-Canada's father, Columbus Canada, read from a written statement.
"The tragedy that has unfolded to our family has us heartbroken. We are at a loss for words, but we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers," they said.
Fleming, Canada, and the two boys lived in a shelter in the Bronx. Canada's family commented on the city shelter system, run by the Administration for Children's Services.
"All family shelters need to be more professional and more hands on with the family safety and mindful of the residents in the shelter around the city," they said.
ACS said in a statement, "The safety and well-being of New York City's children is our top priority. We are investigating this case with the NYPD."
"My daughter is not a bad child. I raised her myself, so I know her," Dwane Fleming said.
Keleshian spoke with Dimone Fleming's father, who lives in Pennsylvania. He said he spoke with his daughter just before police were called on her Saturday, adding she felt smothered in her relationship, but wasn't threatening to hurt others or herself.
"I really didn't understand how the police came, the ambulance came, and they took her away and didn't check on my grandkids," Dwane Fleming said.
Funeral arrangements for the boys are still being made by Fleming's family. They're hoping it will take place around Dec. 17.
Police still haven't confirmed if the boys died due to the stabbing or drowning in the bathtub. Dimone Fleming may be arraigned as soon as Monday night. Police sources said she's still in Saint Barnabas Hospital.
