Phoenix authorities have arrested a mom accused of killing her two daughters, aged 9 and 4, by administering fatal amounts of medication earlier this month.
Retta Renee Cruse, 35, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for killing Royal and Aleyah McIntyre found lifeless on a bed on Sept.8.
The girls’ dad called 911 after finding the deceased girls. Their mom was in her bedroom, with several self-inflicted stab wounds when police responded.
“The girls were found on one bed, facing each other, with their arms around each other as though they had been placed into this position,” the arrest affidavit reported.
“While in the hospital, Retta Cruse made admissions to hospital staff as to her involvement in taking the life of her oldest daughter and attempting to take her own life.”
Detectives believe that the mentally disturbed mother left a note explaining her motives despite denying her involvement in the double-murder during police questioning.
In the note, she talked about helping the girl to sleep due to their infection with Covid-19.
