Authorities arrested 28-year-old Sandra Chico on suspicion of murder on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Chico is the mother of three children who were found dead in an East Los Angeles house on Monday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the children were found at approximately 12:45 p.m. in a residence on the 600 block of Ferris Ave. The children were found in a bedroom.
KCBS2 reported the children, two male and one female, were under the age of 3. According to KCBS2, authorities were called by someone in the household, who said two children were not breathing.
When authorities arrived, the children were pronounced dead at the scene, LASD Deputy Eric Ortiz said. Chico was also found at the home.
According to Sheriff’s Lieutenant Charles Calderaro, the motive is still unknown. Despite the lack of apparent motive, Calderaro said, “There was evidence and information revealed from the interview that led us to the filing of charges for murder.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Trina Schrader said Chico is expected to appear in court at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Wednesday. She's currently being held on $2 million bail.
NBC LA reported that the children were identified by the coroner as Mia Camila Rodriguez, 4, Mason Mateo Rodriguez, 3, and Milan Mateas Rodriguez, 1 month. The cause of death for the three children has not yet been released.
The children's uncle told the news station he does not believe Chico killed the children. "She is innocent," he said.
City News Service reported that so far there is no evidence of prior reports of abuse or child neglect to the home or the mother, according to Deputy Eric Ortiz of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
To provide information anonymously, call "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-TIPS by visit http://lacrimestoppers.org.