‘It’s as bad as you can imagine’: Horrifying welfare check leads police to charge ‘doting’ Massachusetts mom for murder

A Wellesley, Massachusetts, woman is currently facing charges for murder after a welfare check led to a grim discovery at her home. Janette MacAusland, 49, was charged Saturday in connection with the deaths of her children, who were 6 and 7 years old. 

Per the Boston Globe, the situation unfolded on Friday evening, when Wellesley police arrived at a residence on Edgemoor Avenue to conduct a well-being check that had been relayed by a police department in Vermont.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the two children deceased inside the home. MacAusland is currently being held in a Vermont jail and is scheduled to appear in Bennington County Superior Court on Monday to face a charge of being a fugitive from justice. 

I wonder what happened in Vermont that the police not only apprehended her, but they also called Wellesley police

The legal process for those labeled as fugitives from justice is rooted in constitutional requirements. According to EBSCO, the United States Constitution, Article IV, Section 2, mandates that states must extradite individuals who flee a jurisdiction to avoid legal proceedings. This ensures that judicial oversight remains consistent across state lines, preventing executives from shielding individuals from the legal systems where they are charged.

The children, who were in kindergarten and second grade, were students at Schofield Elementary School in Wellesley. David Lussier, the superintendent of Wellesley Public Schools, expressed the deep impact this loss has had on the community. In a statement released Saturday night, Lussier wrote, “We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of two of our WPS students.” 

“This is an unimaginable loss that will be deeply felt not just at Schofield but across our entire community. I ask that we all keep this family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” The school district is now coordinating with a crisis team to provide support services for students, families, and staff as schools prepare to reopen on Monday.

Those who knew the family have expressed shock at the news, particularly given MacAusland’s background. She was a professional acupuncturist who worked with New England Integrated Health and held a position at Mass General Hospital. Her professional history also includes founding Boston Acupuncture Trauma Relief following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. 

Cale Darrah, a babysitter for the family until June 2024, described the children, Ella and Kai, as happy and healthy. She described MacAusland as a kind, methodical mother who appeared to manage the household and the children’s needs with great care. “I kind of got the impression maybe that she felt like she was shouldering more of the stereotypical child rearing and housework kind of thing,” Darrah said.

Neighbors on Edgemoor Avenue are struggling to process the events, too. David Kessler, who lives nearby, described hearing the children playing in their backyard until less than a week ago. When state and local police interviewed him on Saturday morning, he learned the severity of the situation. 

“Police told me, ‘It’s as bad as you can imagine,’ and that’s when I knew it was something serious,” Kessler said. Another neighbor reported frequently seeing the children riding their bikes in the area, though he had not seen them since Monday.

Wellesley, a quiet and affluent suburb located 15 miles west of Boston, is typically viewed as one of the safest communities in the country. With a population of about 30,000 and home values averaging $1.5 million, the town is not accustomed to such events. Records from the Norfolk County probate court indicate that Janette and her husband, Samuel, began divorce proceedings last year. 

Marjorie Freiman, the chair of the town’s select board, stated via email that the board has no comment on the incident other than to express sympathy to the family. Authorities have provided very few details regarding the specific circumstances surrounding the deaths, leaving the community to mourn as the investigation continues.

Unfortunately, this welfare check, like many others, had a horrifying ending. If only it could have ended with a grandmother enjoying her gaming session.