The Salem Police had not previously been called to the apartment Tanicia Goodwin shared with her two young children Erica, 3, and Jamaal, 8.
"Salem Police said that there was not a history of calls to her apartment prior to the incident," Carrie Kimball-Monahan, spokesperson for the Essex County District Attorney said Monday.
She left her son in the apartment, removing the doorknobs and taping up the sprinklers but took her daughter out of the apartment, leaving her with a neighbor, police said.
Kimball-Monahan said their office could not confirm Goodwin's employment and said she could also not confirm whether the Department of Children and Families had prior involvement with the family. In a story in Tuesday's Boston Herald, a family member details a history of custody issues. According to a story in the Salem News, Withcraft Heights Elementary confirmed DCF was involved with the family.
As of Monday evening, the Salem Fire Department said a fund to aid the victims had not yet been set up.
"I would be surprised if something is not set up by Tuesday afternoon," Salem Fire Lt. Brian Harrington said noting it is common practice to set funds up to help victims. "Nothing is set up yet but it's still very early."
WhiteHawk Potter
7:33 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Since my goal is to move to Salem,I will be watching this closely.This is a crime that needs to be handle with a strong hand.She needs to at least be put in prison for life but the choice I wish for this woman is to have the death penalty.I do not know how you could tape the water sprinklers and make sure your child can not get free and kill the others.Obviously,premeditated.
Daniel
7:44 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
It's wonderful to know that you want to put people to death without trials. If she is convicted then according to the Laws of the state she would most likely get a life sentence as we do not have the death penalty in Massachusetts. Move to Texas they put people to death there all the time.
John Dumas
8:04 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Now the "profile" of "no previous involvement" must be added to the list of potential unfit parents. Just remember your simple "if it saves just one" simple statement. Or you can admit "there are no solutions".
Jules Lambert Lemelin
8:58 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
If you are thinking of moving to Salem then look at
the history of our first responders...the Police, fire, the track record of City hall and so much more.
I feel bad for you if you are judging Salem on the basis of a clearly and obviously impaired woman.
This is an amazing community with deep roots...a love for history, education, cutlure, sports, programs for children has it has a larger and varied religious base, access to stellar medical care and easy access to Boston's medical care and Salem cares about it's neighboring towns. Salem did not do this to these poor children but it did act and the Salem first responders saved them. We all have right to our opinions. Passing judgement is different.
I don't known this woman but I am an extremely educated woman, a social worker. I am not supporting her actions. Yet, I am aware that Mothers don't get out of bed and decide to hurt their children...without some impairment present.
Her actions and that of the City of Salem are not related. As for thinking about Moving to Salem. Salem welcomes you as it has many others.
PS Most translators interpret the name Salem with Peace, At Peace, Perfect or Complete.
Salem Taxpayer
3:16 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
How do we know this maniac didn't just move into this building last week? "Salem Police said that there was not a history of calls to her apartment prior to the incident," really means nothing.