Texas Mother Madison McDonald Admits Smothering Daughters, Ages 1 And 6
IRVING, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Texas mother Madison McDonald called 911 from the lobby of the Irving Police Department Monday night to admit killing her two daughters, 1-year-old Lillian Mae McDonald and 6-year-old Archer Hammond.
Irving Police Officer Robert Reeves said McDonald was "very calm," when she called to admit sedating her daughters, then tucking them into bed and smothering them.
Police said McDonald told them her children were "being abused," and she would do anything to protect her daughters, including "eliminating them."
The 30-year-old was arrested in the lobby and later charged with two counts of capital murder of a person under the age of 10.
When officers went to her home in the 700 block of Cowboys Parkway, they had to force the apartment door open. Once inside, they found the children's bodies.
McDonald's eldest, Archer, was found in the master bedroom. Her youngest, Lillian Mae, was in the spare bedroom.
"Anytime you go out to a scene like this and you witness two young children that are deceased, that obviously is a call that stays with you," Reeves said.
Reeves said police have been out to McDonald's home before but would not elaborate on what those calls entailed. In a statement, Child Protective Services said it is investigating the case, along with police and that it too had previous involvement with the family but did not specify.
The investigation is still in the early stages, and the Irving Police Department is requesting anyone with information to contact them at (972) 273.1010 (24hrs). Additionally, you may submit tips to ipdcrimetips@cityofirving.org.
"What we saw during the pandemic of COVID-19 was the domestic violence and cases at home were going on the rise, so all I can say is, I can keep encouraging people, if you know someone is going through a situation, don't choose to not get involved. Choose to be that advocate for that victim and contact your local police department and let them at least come out and assess the situation and figure out if someone's in danger," Reeves said.
McDonald is currently at the Irving City jail with no bail set.
