A 47-year-old mother in Sydney has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing her three sleeping children and then herself early Monday, authorities said.
Emergency services responded to a home on Jamieson Avenue in Baulkham Hills, a suburb in Sydney’s northwest, around 5:20 a.m. after the father, who was also at home, intervened and called police. The children, aged 10, 13, and 16, were found with stab wounds, along with their mother, who had suspected self-inflicted injuries.
The 10-year-old boy had two stab wounds, the 13-year-old girl had three, and the 16-year-old girl, who is paraplegic, had one stab wound and several lacerations. All four individuals were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to Westmead Hospital, where they remain in stable condition.
Detective Superintendent Naomi Moore described the incident as “completely unexpected” and noted that there was no prior history of domestic violence reported to police. The mother had been acting erratically before the attack, according to authorities.
The mother was charged with three counts of wounding with intent to murder and has been refused bail. She is set to appear via a bedside hearing in Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday.
Authorities are yet to formally identify the couple. A 2013 article detailing her daughter’s disability and the story behind it identified her as Vanessa Hoffman, ” a full-time carer of her two daughters and former personal assistant from Castle Hill in NSW,”
Neighbors described the family as quiet and friendly, often exchanging gifts during holidays. The incident has left the community in shock, with police emphasizing their commitment to addressing domestic violence.
Support services have been made available for those affected by the incident, including Lifeline and 1800 RESPECT.
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