Child arrested for the murder of a New Hampshire mother and her two sons will be tried as a juvenile

A juvenile has been arrested and charged with murder in the deaths of a New Hampshire mother and her two sons.

Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her two sons, 4-year-old Benjamin and 1-year-old Mason, were found shot to death in their Northfield, N.H. home, according to New Hampshire Attorney General’s office.  

In a statement, state Attorney General John Formella said the youth, who wasn’t named due to their age, is charged under the state’s juvenile laws with three counts of first-degree murder.

The three victims were found dead from gunshot wounds in the family’s Wethersfield Drive home on the morning of August 3. 

The father, Sean Sweeney, posted this message to Facebook, saying in part how thankful he is for the outreach he has received since the loss of his wife and children

The father, Sean Sweeney, posted on Facebook for the first time since the murders.

‘I want to thank everyone for the outreach and support, while things will never be “normal” again my body finally shut down and let me get some sleep.’

Sean also thanked those who spent time defending him from online accusations of being guilty of the crime, saying ‘thank you to everyone who has spent the last few days ensuring that the random idiots online are properly informed.’

He ended with a message of remembrance for his wife and sons, saying ‘it is our job now to keep their memories alive.’ 

‘They will be forever loved and missed and forever in my heart I hope that goes for each and every other person who reads my ramblings.’ 

Benjamin Sweeney, 4 (left) and Mason Sweeney, 1, (right) were found dead inside a home on Wethersfield Drive in Northfield, N.H. on Wednesday

The State Medical Examiner determined both boys and the mother were each shot once and died from their wound

The state’s chief medical examiner conducted autopsies on the three victims and determined all were shot once.

‘Since the alleged perpetrator is a juvenile, the law precludes any further information from being released,’ Formella said. ‘The charges and allegations against the juvenile are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.’

Officials didn’t disclose the relationship, if any, between the juvenile and the victims, and no motive was given for the killings.

The AG’s office said they would not release the age of the suspect or speak about any specifics in the case, and that all information will remain private until the case is completed, unless the juvenile is tried as an adult.

Formella declined to say whether the attorney general’s office would petition the court to try the youth as an adult, and he doesn’t expect anyone else to be charged in the case.

Authorities during the days long search for the suspect in Northfield and Tilton, N.H.

Authorities set up search teams along I-93 north of the scene of the crime, where the juvenile suspect was eventually caught

Wednesday’s search was the second conducted in grassy areas near I-93 in the towns of Northfield and Tilton.

It’s not immediately clear when the charged juvenile will appear in court. 

In addition to the murder counts, the suspect is also charged with one count of falsifying physical evidence.

A GoFundMe has been set up in memory of Kassandra Sweeney and her two boys to help with memorial costs and living expenses. 

Kassandra, Benjamin and Mason Sweeney will be remembered in a funeral service this weekend and are survived by their husband and father, Sean