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Man arrested after two small children found dead

EDMONTON — Police said they had a man in custody Monday after two young children were found dead in a townhouse.
Two Children Dead 20101220
Stuffed animals are placed near the homicide scene where the bodies of two children were found in Edmonton on Monday. Police said they had a man in custody Monday after two young children were found dead in a townhouse.

EDMONTON — Police said they had a man in custody Monday after two young children were found dead in a townhouse.

Investigators were releasing little information about what happened in the northeast Edmonton neighbourhood where officers discovered the youngsters.

But Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz confirmed that the family had been “involved” with her staff.

“We did have involvement with the family,” said Fritz.

“We provided support and services to the family based on what their needs were. The children were residing with their mother.”

Spokeswoman Claire Seyler said police were called to the home late Sunday night by someone concerned about the well-being of the children. The constables found the bodies and also a 31-year-old man who was treated for undisclosed injuries.

“He was treated by EMS and taken to the hospital for a short while with what they thought were serious injuries, but he is out of the hospital and is in (police) custody,” said Seyler.

Seyler said the children were under the age of 10. Neighbours told reporters that there were two kindergarten-aged children living in the home.

She would not disclose the children’s names or say whether the man was related to them.

“Before we can do anything, we have to wait for the autopsy results,” she said.

“We have to make sure we have confirmation on the identities before we can give information on the names ... and if there is a relationship between anybody.”

Neighbours were shocked.

“It’s a small neighbourhood, but not too many of us know each other by name, just by sight,” Mark Sanders told reporters.

“I really don’t know what happened. All I know is it is a sad occasion, this time of year.”

Fritz could release few other details about the extent of the family’s involvement with her department, but acknowledged the children were in provincial care.

“They were,” she said.

“The children were not ’wards of the government.’ Then you’re talking about permanent guardianship orders and all of this kind of thing.”

Department spokesman John Tuckwell said the extent of a family’s involvement with the province depends on its needs. A range of services exists, he said.

“Any instance of family violence is very tragic and when it involves children I find it even more shocking and sad,” said Fritz. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and they’re with the community in this very difficult time.”

New Democrat MLA Rachel Notley called for an investigation into Alberta’s child welfare system — a call she first made two years ago.

“We need to get answers,” she said. “There are far too many of these sad stories happening in our province.”