Wellesley woman accused of killing her children appears in Vermont court, will be returned to Massachusetts to face charges

Wellesley’s Janette MacAusland, who is being charged with murdering her two children, appeared via a live video feed on Monday afternoon in a Rutland, Vt. court, where she waived her right to extradition on a fugitive from justice charge. Under the process, she will be sent back to Massachusetts within 30 days, be booked at the Wellesley Police station, and then face charges by the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office.

Attorney Jeff Rubin, representing MacAusland at the Vermont court hearing, said: “She’s decided that the best thing is to get back to Massachusetts as soon as possible and address these charges.”

The Police Department in Bennington, Vt., about a 3-hour drive from Wellesley, was requested to conduct a welfare check on the MacAusland children, ages 6 and 7, after the woman arrived at an aunt’s residence on Friday night “appearing highly distraught” and was reported to have a visible neck injury.

Wellesley police conducted the wellness check at the MacAuslands’ Edgemoor Avenue home and discovered the children were deceased.

As is typical with suspected homicide cases in this area, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office, with assistance from state police investigators, takes the lead.

According to a Bennington police report shared with the court and obtained by NBC5 in Vermont, MacAusland said she had strangled her children and attempted to end her own life.

MacAusland’s husband last fall filed for divorce, and the couple was in a custody dispute.

Wellesley Public Schools have been providing support for students, staff, and families, with local police making themselves present as well to offer support.