Phoenix police arrest mother accused of shooting her 2 kids

PHOENIX — Phoenix police have arrested a 24-year-old woman who is accused of shooting her two kids on Monday, one of whom has died while the other was in critical condition, authorities said.

Esther Callejas was booked into jail Tuesday on one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, the Phoenix Police Department said in an email.

Police responded to a home near Eighth Place and Broadway Road just before noon Monday in response to a shooting call.

A 6-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl were found shot and taken to the hospital, where the girl later died, authorities said.

The girl was identified as Esperanza Isidro.

Callejas was also taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her hand.

Officers learned Callejas called her husband and another family member to tell them she had just killed her children, authorities said.

The two immediately called police.

Callejas allegedly admitted to officers Tuesday that she shot both her children because she wanted them to go to heaven, authorities said.

She also planned on killing herself but was unable to reload the gun, authorities said.

It was the second time police were called to the residence.

The woman’s husband called police Sept. 14 asking for a welfare check because he was concerned for the well-being of his family, authorities said.

Callejas and the children were not at the home when police arrived but officers were able to contact her by phone. She told police both she and the children were OK, authorities said.

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