The grandmother of a woman who stabbed her four young children to death says she forgives her and loves her “wholeheartedly”.
The horrific crime happened a few days ago, where Shanynthia Garnder (pictured above) is accused of cutting the throats of her four youngest children – Tallen, four, Sya, three, Sahvi, two and six-month-old Yahzi.
Her eldest child, seven-year-old Dallen Clayton, fled the Tennessee home unharmed and is currently in protective custody.
Shanynthia’s grandmother-in-law, Sonya Clayton, told the Memphis Commercial Appeal she forgives her.
“I know this was not her,” she said. “I know this was the work of the devil. I love Shanynthia wholeheartedly still.”
Shanynthia, who was allegedly working for a fundraising sector of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is in custody. She has reportedly been charged with four counts of first degree murder in association with aggravated child abuse, four counts of first degree murder in association with aggravated child neglect and four counts each of aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect or endangerment.
The four slain children
A neighbour called 911 after seeing the seven-year-old run out of the house screaming. The mother then allegedly stepped out of the house with a large knife, then went back inside.
It is also alleged that she confessed to killing her children when talking on the phone to her husband.
The AP reports that according to a police document, Shanynthia went missing in March and was later found in a local emergency room. She had told people a few days prior that she believed someone was trying to hurt her and her family.
There has been a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family.
