Press release
The investigation into the murder of two girls by their mother Thursday show the crime was planned weeks in advance, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said Friday.
Sarah Nicole Henderson, 29, of Mabank, was arraigned this morning before Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Precinct Randy Daniel, who set bail at $2 million on one count of capital murder.
Hillhouse said another capital murder charge is pending, and after the hearing, she remains in jail under suicide watch.
During an interview with Investigators, Sarah Henderson confessed to shooting her children.
“Over the last 24 hours, the investigation shows that she planned these murders for at least the last two weeks,” Hillhouse said. “It appears she also intended to kill her husband, but the entire crime did not go as planned.”
The sheriff released three 911 calls regarding the case – one from Emergency Management Services (EMS) from the husband requesting assistance and a second call canceling that request. The third call is from the husband reporting the murders. He also released the arrest probable cause affidavit.
The female victims, both Sarah Henderson’s daughters age 7 and 5, were taken to American Forensics for forensic examination.
At 11:29 p.m. Wednesday, local EMS personnel contacted the Sheriff’s Office asking for assistance regarding a female at a residence outside of Payne Springs.
Although the caller made a second call to EMS requesting the cancelation of the service, Sheriff deputies went to the residence, arriving at 11:45 p.m.
Hillhouse said a male and female at the residence told the deputies they were fine and no one needed assistance.
Almost three hours later, at 2:24 a.m. Thursday, the same man called 911 to report his wife had shot her children at the residence.
Hillhouse said the children were deceased at the scene. The Texas Rangers, Child Protective Services and the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office are assisting with the investigation.