Father Is Arrested in Children’s Slayings
Police on Saturday arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of fatally stabbing his 2-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter Friday in their Highland Park apartment.
Carlos Martinez, who is being held without bail, was hospitalized in serious but stable condition after he was believed to have attempted suicide by cutting his throat, said LAPD Officer Sara Faden.
“We’re still looking for a motive,” Faden said.
The children, whose names were not released, and their father were found lying motionless in a bedroom by a neighbor Friday afternoon.
Police said no one had reported hearing a struggle.
Martinez’s 21-year-old wife, Claudia Martinez, was believed to have been at work at the time of the slayings, said LAPD Lt. Art Miller.
Police said the family arrived in the United States from an unspecified country three weeks ago and was staying with relatives at the apartment in the 5600 block of North Ash Street.
The couple do not have any other children.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
