A father is mourning the loss of his four young children and their mother following an alleged murder-suicide poisoning plot in Mechanicville, New York. Brady Harmon, the children's father, described the situation as "horrendous" and stated that "nothing could have prepared him for the shocking and devastating news."
Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt announced Thursday that the children's grandmother, Amy Steadman, 64, is suspected of poisoning the four children and their mother, Sarah Myers, 44, before taking her own life. Police discovered the six individuals dead in an apartment during a welfare check on Tuesday, June 23. Evidence recovered from the apartment indicates intentional poisoning with numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications, Rabbitt said. An autopsy also revealed that one of the child victims may have suffered fatal sharp force injuries.
The victims were identified as Amy Steadman, 64; Sarah Myers, 44; Harper Harmon, 13; Hudson Harmon, 11; Gavin Harmon, 10; and Gracelynn Harmon, 10. Police located a handwritten note that may link Steadman to the deaths. The causes of death are pending additional investigation and toxicology testing.
Harmon, who resides in Utah, told Fox News Digital that he had been planning to bring his children to Utah for the summer. He had been engaged in an ongoing custody battle with Myers and expressed prior concerns about the children's safety and well-being. "The system is broken, it takes way too long to get anything done. I spent six and a half years fighting to be able to have access to my kids," Harmon stated.
As the investigation continues, Harmon's primary concern is to bring his children home. "My concern right now is being able to bring my kids home, and have them away from those two monsters that did this to them," he said, referring to Steadman and Myers.