Authorities in Mechanicville, New York, have not ruled out the possibility that Sarah Myers, 44, was complicit in the deaths of her four children and mother, Amy Steadman, 64, who were found dead in Steadman's apartment on June 23. Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt stated that while evidence initially suggested Steadman was responsible, they are still investigating Myers' potential involvement.
"We have not ruled out that Sarah Myers was also complicit in the deaths of her children," Rabbitt told NBC 5, adding that the case is active and more information will be released after final toxicology and forensic testing are completed. One child died from a sharp injury, while the others showed signs of poisoning.
The children's father, Brady Harmon, has come forward with claims that he received 10 letters from Saratoga County Child Protective Services investigating the living conditions of his children. The most recent letter indicated an investigation into Myers for Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Harmon stated a therapist had previously deemed Myers negligent in her care, but the children were not considered to be in immediate danger.
Harmon described finding the apartment in a state of disarray, with cat urine and feces, when he went to collect his children's belongings. He suggested the Mechanicville City School District may have contacted Child Protective Services, as the letters ceased after Myers withdrew the children from the district in 2024 to homeschool them. Harmon is seeking the children's school records.
According to Harmon, he had been separated from his children since 2019. He and Myers had an agreement that he would have custody from July 1 to September 1. Harmon last spoke with his children on June 7, discussing their upcoming trip to Utah. On June 10, he received a text from Myers stating the children were sick, followed by his lawyer sending her paperwork for a custody hearing scheduled for June 29.
Following news of the children being sick, Harmon reported making multiple calls to police requesting welfare checks. A neighbor, Stephanie Sweeney, also contacted police after noticing an unusual number of flies and a foul odor emanating from the apartment, which led to the discovery.
There is speculation that Steadman may have been resentful over Harmon gaining custody of the children for the summer. Harmon also suggested that his involvement of a lawyer may have escalated the situation. Neighbors described Steadman and Myers as inseparable, with one neighbor recalling Steadman fundraising in 2022 for Myers to obtain a domestic violence lawyer. Harmon has denied accusations against him, calling Myers the "culprit" and alleging she stabbed him with a medicine dropper in 2019.
Harmon has retrieved his children's cremated remains. He stated that the condition of the bodies prevented them from being brought home for a traditional funeral. He has since spread their ashes on a mountain, a place where his father's ashes were laid to rest. "The only thing I can keep as a peace of mind is that my kids are safe in the arms of my father and other family members who loved them and not those who would hurt them," Harmon said.