Atlanta

Family of mother accused of killing her children says she had history of mental illness

ATLANTA, Ga. — We're learning more about the woman accused of murdering her two sons Saturday.

Lamora Williams, 24, police has been charged with two counts of murder for the death of her two children, ages 1 and 2. Their brother, a 3-year-old, survived.

The father of the boys, Jameel Penn, told Channel 2's Chris Jose she showed the gruesome scene to him on a video call.

"It was like a real horror movie. it was Friday the 13th," he said. "When I saw my kid, how I saw my kid, that's when I knew what was going on."

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On Friday night, Williams told police she left the kids with a relative around noon and returned home late in the evening to find the children dead. Police say that's not true.

Jose learned Penn was one of two people Williams called that night.

Police told us their brother, Jameel Penn Jr., saw his mother allegedly kill his brothers.

Penn first met with Jose at a vigil with friends and family Saturday night. He told Jose the last time he saw his two toddlers was last month.

"Ja’karter, Keyante, my world, my everything. I’m lost," he said.

Neighbors expressed their grief and disbelief at the vigil. They told Jose the apartment "smelled like death." A smell, investigators say indicate the bodies may have been inside for a few days.

"How does a 1-year-old and a 2-year-old get in the stove?," said Neesha Smith.

Williams' mother, Breanda, told Jose her daughter has struggled with mental health issues her whole life.

"I just came from the jail, I also let them know, to put her on suicide watch because she’s gonna kill herself," she said.

Lamora's sister, Tabitha Hollingsworth, believes the deaths of Ja'karter and Ke'yaunte Penn could have been prevented.

"This was something we saw that could possibly happen. She's had issues from a baby. Issues my mom tried to address with the state of Georgia," Hollingsworth said.

Williams is expected to make her first appearance in court on Monday.