A 5-year-old girl was stabbed to death in Chicago Saturday morning, and police are questioning a 27-year-old woman they say is a relative.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the little girl as Serenity Arrington, who, police said, had multiple stab wounds, CBS Chicago reports.
Neighbors tried to help her before the arrival of paramedics, who rushed her to Stroger Hospital, where she died.
While police said the suspect and victim were related, they did not say how they were related. The suspect walked up to detectives on the scene, they said, and was taken into custody.
Neighbors told CBS Chicago that the woman in custody had recently suffered a family loss and was dealing with depression. Police said they were checking to see if mental health issues were involved.
“The detectives are working on that, so they’re touching base with that, and with DCFS, and everything else,” Officer Jose Jara said.
Police also said they had been called to the East Garfield Park address in the past but did not provide further information.
Neighbors also said the little girl had moved into the house with her older sister a month or so ago, and that the woman in custody was her mother, Fox 32 reported. Police have not confirmed that information.
Family friends were shocked.
“Long as I’ve been knowing her she never seemed that way to me,” Keith Smith said. “When it happens and it’s somebody that you personally know that hits deep.”
Charges against the woman are pending, police said.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast:
[Featured image: Shutterstock]
