Three children stabbed in Sydney’s northwest, mother charged

A father in Sydney’s northwest woke to the sounds of his children’s screams, after their mother allegedly stabbed them before turning the weapon on herself.

A Sydney mother who allegedly ambushed and stabbed her three sleeping children has been charged by police with three counts of wounding with attempt to murder.

The mother was found allegedly clutching a kitchen knife in the living room of the family’s Baulkham Hills home early on Monday when her husband woke to the sound of their three kids screaming.

Police said the husband was then confronted with the horrific scene of all three children – including a 16-year-old girl who is a paraplegic – bleeding heavily, while the mother allegedly tried to inflict injuries to herself.

Police will allege the mother was attempting to carry out a murder-suicide.

In the next few terrifying moments, police said the husband managed to wrestle the knife from his wife’s clutches, then grabbed towels to wrap around his children and stem the bleeding, until help arrived.

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed three times to the stomach, her 10-year-old brother stabbed twice in the abdomen and the eldest child suffered a single knife wound to the abdomen.

All three children also allegedly suffered cuts to their arms as they tried to shield themselves from the knife.

Castle Hill Police Detective Superintendent Naomi Moore described the incident inside the home as an “absolute tragedy”, saying police had never been called there before, and there was no history of domestic violence.

Police and Forensics are on the scene after emergency services were called to a home in Baulkham Hills, following reports multiple people had been stabbed. Picture: Elizabeth Neil

She said police were treating the incident at “its highest”, and will allege the mother was attempting to carry out a murder-suicide.

After being arrested, the mother was charged with three counts of wounding with attempt to murder.

She was denied police bail and will face Parramatta Local Court via a bedside hearing on Tuesday.

“It’s tragic, it’s really sad. We haven’t dealt with this family before, and I only wish that we had have, and maybe we could have reached out and helped this family sooner had we known there were problems,” Det-Supt Moore said.

She said the only possible sign something wasn’t right was mentioned to police afterwards, that the mother’s behaviour recently had been out of character.“It’s very very fresh … but I think it’s fair to say that the female’s behaviour was a bit erratic in the lead up.”

The Hills Police Area Command found three children aged 10, 13 and 16, and a 46-year-old woman with stab wounds. Picture: Sky News

The children also remain in hospital, with the husband at their bedside and relatives on their way from interstate.

Neighbours spoke fondly of the family, describing the mother as a “doll of a woman” who would deliver homemade treats and handwritten notes.

“I remember during Covid, we came home and there were chocolates from (the mother) and a card saying something like “Hope you’re doing ok”, a neighbour said. “She is just a lovely, lovely lady”.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse or family violence contact National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732

The 24/7 NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63

Men experiencing domestic and family violence can contact mensline.org.au on 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800

In an emergency, call triple-0 (000)

Originally published as Three children stabbed in Sydney’s northwest, mother charged