SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) -- A Santa Rosa mother is grieving after losing her two children. Police say they were killed by their own father, who then killed himself. He's been identified as 40-year-old Alvaro Camara.
Camara was supposed to return the children to their mother Sunday night, but that never happened. Instead, deputies found them in his apartment Monday morning.
The mother has released the following statement:
Community of Sonoma County,
I sit here at 7:06am on Tuesday June 20, 2017 swaddled in my daughter's blanket and drinking tea from a cup that reads "I love you mom", fighting back the tears and struggling to make sense of this horrific situation. As I hear updates and stories coming out in regards to my children's identity and pictures of them without my knowledge I am visibly distraught and upset. They are my precious innocent children that were beyond loved by their family, friends and community. I know I am not the only person that is or has gone through this horrific unimaginable situation, so please help me spread stories like this to raise awareness that is much needed to help prevent anything like this happening to another family. I sought help on numerous occasions and said many many many times my children were in danger in their fathers care and I didn't receive the urgent help I needed to save them.
- A mother no longer able to hold her children.
ABC7 News has not released the identity or photos of the children, per the family's request.
VIDEO: Santa Rosa PD says couple had 'volatile' custody arrangement
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is encouraged to call the Santa Rosa Police Department Violent Crime Investigation Team Sergeant Josh Ludtke at 707-543-3695.