Woman Charged with Killing Two Children

Apr 26, 2026, 19:42
A2

Woman Charged with Killing Two Children

Introduction

Police in Massachusetts charged a 49-year-old woman. They say she killed her two young children.

Main Body

Police went to a house on Friday night. They found two dead children. The children were Kai, age 7, and Ella, age 6. Police found the mother, Janette MacAusland, in Vermont. They arrested her. Janette and her husband, Samuel, wanted a divorce. They fought about the children and the house. They did not agree on who should take care of the children. The children went to a local school. The school is now helping the other students. People who knew the children said they were happy children. Janette worked as a doctor for acupuncture. Her company removed her name from their website. Police are still studying the case.

Conclusion

Janette MacAusland is in jail in Vermont. She faces two murder charges.

Vocabulary Learning

charged (v.)
accused of a crime被控罪
Example:The woman was charged with murder.
children (n.)
young people who are not adults兒童
Example:The children played in the park.
divorce (n.)
ending a marriage離婚
Example:They decided to get a divorce.
police (n.)
law enforcement officers警察
Example:The police arrived quickly.
school (n.)
place where children learn學校
Example:The school is closed today.

Sentence Learning

Police in Massachusetts charged a 49-year-old woman.
Preposition: The phrase 'in Massachusetts' shows where the action happened.前置詞: 『in Massachusetts』這個片語說明了行動發生的地點。
Police went to a house on Friday night.
Time: The phrase 'on Friday night' tells when the action happened.時間: 『on Friday night』這個片語說明了行動發生的時間。
The children were Kai, age 7, and Ella, age 6.
Connector: The word 'and' connects two names together.連接詞: 『and』這個連接詞把兩個名字連在一起。
People who knew the children said they were happy children.
Relative Clause: The clause 'who knew the children' gives extra information about the people.相對子句: 『who knew the children』這個子句提供了關於那個人的額外資訊。
They did not agree on who should take care of the children.
Negation: The phrase 'did not agree' shows a negative action.否定: 『did not agree』這個片語表示否定的動作。
B2

Janette MacAusland Charged with Murder of Two Children in Wellesley

Introduction

Authorities in Massachusetts have charged a 49-year-old woman with the murder of her two young children after police conducted a welfare check at their home in Wellesley.

Main Body

The incident began on Friday evening when the Wellesley Police Department was asked by Vermont police to check on the well-being of a family on Edgemoor Avenue. When officers arrived around 9:30 p.m., they found the bodies of 7-year-old Kai and 6-year-old Ella. While the exact causes of death have not been released, Janette MacAusland, an acupuncturist, was later arrested in Vermont. She is currently being held in a Vermont facility and is expected to appear in court on Monday. Court documents suggest that the family had been experiencing significant instability. Samuel MacAusland started divorce proceedings in October after nine years of marriage, requesting custody of the children and the family home. Janette MacAusland responded by claiming the same assets. Furthermore, in April, both parents agreed to a neutral third-party investigation to help determine the best custody arrangements for the children. Local community members and officials have expressed their shock. David Lussier, the Superintendent of Wellesley Public Schools, confirmed that the children attended Schofield Elementary School and stated that counseling services would be available for students and staff. Former childcare provider Cale Darrah and neighbors described the children as happy and well-cared for. Ms. Darrah also mentioned that she believed Janette MacAusland had handled most of the childcare and household duties. Meanwhile, New England Integrated Health has removed Ms. MacAusland's professional profile from its website following the charges.

Conclusion

Janette MacAusland remains in custody in Vermont facing two counts of murder, while local school officials continue to provide support for the affected students.

Vocabulary Learning

charges (n.)
Formal accusations of wrongdoing / claims of illegal activity指控
Example:The woman faced charges of murder.
counseling (n.)
Professional advice for emotional support / guidance to help someone deal with problems諮詢服務
Example:Counseling services were offered to the students after the tragedy.
custody (n.)
Legal right to care for a child / the responsibility and control over a child監護權
Example:The court awarded the mother custody of the children.
instability (n.)
Uncertainty / a state of being unstable不穩定
Example:The family's instability made it difficult to maintain a routine.
investigation (n.)
A systematic examination or inquiry / the process of gathering information調查
Example:The police launched an investigation into the incident.

Sentence Learning

She is currently being held in a Vermont facility and is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Passive Voice: The sentence uses the passive form 'is being held' to describe an action performed by an unspecified agent.被動語態: 句子使用被動語態 'is being held' 來描述由未指明的主體執行的動作。
David Lussier, the Superintendent of Wellesley Public Schools, confirmed that the children attended Schofield Elementary School and stated that counseling services would be available for students and staff.
Relative Clause: The clause introduced by 'that' provides additional information about the actions of David Lussier.關係子句: 由 'that' 引入的子句提供了關於 David Lussier 行動的額外資訊。
While the exact causes of death have not been released, Janette MacAusland, an acupuncturist, was later arrested in Vermont.
Contrastive Conjunction: 'While' introduces a contrast between the lack of information and the subsequent arrest.對比連詞: 'While' 引入了缺乏資訊與隨後逮捕之間的對比。
Furthermore, in April, both parents agreed to a neutral third-party investigation to help determine the best custody arrangements for the children.
Infinitive Phrase: 'to help determine' expresses purpose within the main clause.不定詞短語: 'to help determine' 表示主要句子中的目的。
Ms. Darrah also mentioned that she believed Janette MacAusland had handled most of the childcare and household duties.
Complement Clause: The clause after 'that' functions as the object of 'mentioned'.補語子句: 'that' 後的子句作為 'mentioned' 的賓語。
C2

Janette MacAusland Charged with Double Homicide of Children in Wellesley

Introduction

Authorities in Massachusetts have charged a 49-year-old woman with the murder of her two young children following a welfare check at their residence in Wellesley.

Main Body

The incident commenced on Friday evening when the Wellesley Police Department received a request from the Bennington Police Department in Vermont to conduct a well-being check at a residence on Edgemoor Avenue. Upon arrival at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers discovered the deceased bodies of Kai, aged 7, and Ella, aged 6. The specific causes of death have not been disclosed. Janette MacAusland, an acupuncturist, was subsequently apprehended in Vermont as a fugitive and is currently detained in a Vermont facility pending a Monday appearance in Bennington County Superior Court. Legal documentation from the Norfolk Probate and Family Court indicates a period of domestic instability preceding the event. Samuel MacAusland initiated divorce proceedings in October after nine years of marriage, seeking custody of the children and the family residence. Janette MacAusland filed a counterclaim for the same assets. On April 16, both parties consented to a joint motion for a neutral third-party investigation, resulting in the appointment of a guardian ad litem on April 21 to provide custody recommendations. Stakeholder responses emphasize the impact on the local community. David Lussier, Superintendent of Wellesley Public Schools, confirmed that the children attended Schofield Elementary School and announced that counseling services would be provided to staff and students. Former childcare provider Cale Darrah and neighbors Jeffrey and Jerry Peng characterized the children as positive and well-cared for. Ms. Darrah further noted her perception that Janette MacAusland had assumed a disproportionate share of domestic and child-rearing responsibilities. Professional background data indicates that Janette MacAusland was affiliated with New England Integrated Health, Mass General Hospital, and the Boston Acupuncture Trauma Relief organization. Following the charges, New England Integrated Health removed her professional biography from its digital platform. The investigation is currently being conducted by the Wellesley Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police in coordination with the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.

Conclusion

Janette MacAusland remains in custody in Vermont facing two counts of murder, while local school authorities implement support measures for the affected student body.

Vocabulary Learning

apprehended (v.)
To arrest or seize someone逮捕
Example:Police apprehended the suspect at the scene.
counterclaim (n.)
A claim made in response to another claim, often in legal proceedings反訴
Example:The defendant filed a counterclaim against the plaintiff.
disproportionate (adj.)
Unequal or unbalanced in proportion不相稱
Example:She felt the punishment was disproportionate to the offense.
fugitive (n.)
A person who has fled from law enforcement or a jurisdiction逃犯
Example:The authorities were searching for the fugitive after the crime.
proceedings (n.)
Formal legal actions or processes法庭程序
Example:The court will hear the proceedings next week.

Sentence Learning

Janette MacAusland, an acupuncturist, was subsequently apprehended in Vermont as a fugitive and is currently detained in a Vermont facility pending a Monday appearance in Bennington County Superior Court.
Participial Construction: The participial phrase 'pending a Monday appearance' functions as an adverbial modifier of time, indicating that the detention continues until the court appearance.分詞短語: 'pending a Monday appearance' 作為時間副詞性修飾語，表示拘押持續至法庭出庭之日。
David Lussier, Superintendent of Wellesley Public Schools, confirmed that the children attended Schofield Elementary School and announced that counseling services would be provided to staff and students.
Coordinate-Subordinate Clause: The sentence coordinates two main clauses—'confirmed that the children attended...' and 'announced that counseling services would be provided...'—each containing a subordinate noun clause introduced by 'that', illustrating complex coordination with embedded clauses.並列-從屬子句: 此句並列兩個主句——'confirmed that the children attended...' 及 'announced that counseling services would be provided...'——每個主句都含有由 'that' 引導的從屬名詞子句，展示了帶嵌套子句的複雜並列結構。
Legal documentation from the Norfolk Probate and Family Court indicates a period of domestic instability preceding the event.
Nominalization: The verb 'indicates' is complemented by the nominal phrase 'a period of domestic instability', where the abstract noun 'instability' nominalizes the concept of unstable conditions, creating a concise, information-dense expression.名詞化: 動詞 'indicates' 以名詞短語 'a period of domestic instability' 作賓語，其中抽象名詞 'instability' 將不穩定狀態名詞化，形成簡潔且資訊密集的表達。
The investigation is currently being conducted by the Wellesley Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police in coordination with the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.
Passive Voice: This sentence is in the passive voice, with the subject 'The investigation' receiving the action 'is being conducted', and it includes a prepositional phrase 'in coordination with the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office' that further details the agents involved.被動語態: 此句使用被動語態，主語 'The investigation' 承受動作 'is being conducted'，並以介詞短語 'in coordination with the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office' 進一步說明參與者。
Ms. Darrah further noted her perception that Janette MacAusland had assumed a disproportionate share of domestic and child-rearing responsibilities.
Subordinate Noun Clause: The noun clause introduced by 'that' functions as the complement of the noun 'perception', illustrating a complex subordinate clause embedded within a larger sentence.從屬名詞子句: 由 'that' 引導的名詞子句作為名詞 'perception' 的補語，展示了嵌入式複雜從屬子句。