MEMPHIS, Tenn. — We’re learning more about the mother accused of stabbing her four children to death Friday afternoon.
According to reports obtained by WREG, Shanynthia Gardner was reported missing back on March 19 just days after telling her family she felt like someone was trying to hurt her and her family.
The behavior started on March 16 when Gardner reportedly left work suddenly, picked up her kids and left.
That same night she called her husband from Corinth.
Gardner’s mother said at the time her daughter had been stressed, but this behavior was unlike her.
She also said her daughter had not been diagnosed with a mental illness.
On the day she went missing, she was later located inside the St. Francis Hospital Emergency Room.
During a news conference on Saturday, Sheriff Bill Oldham confirmed Gardner has five children ages 7, 4, 3, 2, and 6-months old.
According to investigators, they were called to the Greens at Irene Apartments near Hacks Cross Road around noon on Friday.
Oldham told WREG the 4-year-old male and his three younger sisters were dead from stab wounds when they arrived on the scene.
The oldest child, a 7-year-old male, was able to run for help.
Gardner was initially taken to 201 Poplar, but was then taken to a “safe place.”
She was charged with four counts of first degree murder, aggravated child neglect and aggravated child abuse.
Additional charges could be filed.
The Tennessee Department of Child Services has confirmed there was no prior history with the Gardner family.
They are now actively involved in the case.
The names of the children have not been released.
The father of the younger children has been identified as Martin Gardner.
The 7-year-old’s father has been in contact with police, but they have not released his name.
