A 10-year-old girl recognized that her mother and grandmother were slowly poisoning her and her four siblings just before they were killed in a murder-suicide, officials stated. Gracelynn Harmon, her twin brother Gavin Harmon, also 10, and her two older siblings, Hudson, 11, and Harper, 13, were discovered deceased inside their grandmother Amy Steadman's apartment in Mechanicville, New York, on June 23.
Their mother, Sarah Myers, 44, and Steadman, 64, were found dead in what authorities have determined to be a murder-suicide. Gavin suffered "multiple sharp force injuries," while his siblings exhibited signs of poisoning, according to Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt. Rabbitt confirmed that Gracelynn was aware of the poisoning attempts and communicated her distress.
"Why would you do that? You both won’t let me puke," Gracelynn reportedly said, complaining of stomach pain. Later messages between Myers and Steadman revealed their intent to poison the children to "protect them" from their father, Brady Harmon.
Police recovered electronic files, including text messages, detailing the plan. Searches on Sarah Myers' internet history included topics such as "medication reactions," "the effects of insulin on non-diabetics," and "where is the most fatal place to be stabbed." Rabbitt also noted that Gavin had a defensive wound, suggesting he attempted to protect himself.
The discovery was made after a neighbor requested a third welfare check, as the family had not been seen for 13 days. During the initial welfare checks, officers did not enter the apartment. The bodies were significantly decomposed, making initial identification challenging. The children's father, Brady Harmon, has denied accusations of domestic violence made by Sarah Myers and has not been charged.
Brady Harmon had previously received notices from Saratoga County Child Protective Services regarding investigations into the children's living conditions. The final notice indicated Myers was being investigated for Munchausen-by-proxy, a mental health condition involving fabricating or causing illness in a child. A therapist had previously concluded Myers was negligent in her care, but the children were deemed not to be in immediate danger.
The investigation into the tragedy is ongoing, and final toxicology results are pending. Police stated that the results may not be publicly released to prevent potential replication of the events. Chief Rabbitt emphasized that "the deliberate murder of four children cannot be described as protection," despite Myers and Steadman's alleged justifications.