Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said a 29-year-old mother was arrested and charged with capital murder in the shooting deaths of two of her children early Thursday morning.
Sarah Nicole Henderson of Mabank is being held in the Henderson County Jail and has confessed to the crime, according to Sheriff’s Office officials.
The victims were Henderson’s daughters, age 7 and 5. The children were shot in their sleep, Hillhouse said.
At 11:29 p.m. Wednesday, local Emergency Medical Services personnel contacted the Sheriff’s Office asking for assistance regarding a possible suicidal female at a residence outside of Payne Springs in Henderson County.
Although EMS canceled the call for assistance 7 minutes later, Sheriff’s Deputies went to the residence, arriving at 11:45 p.m.
Hillhouse said a male and female told the Deputies they were fine and no one was in danger or jeopardy.
Almost three hours later, at 2:24 a.m. Thursday, a man called 911 to report a woman 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.
Henderson County 173rd District Judge Dan Moore issued a search warrant for the residence.
Henderson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Kevin Pollock performed the inquest.