Police are investigating Megan Huntsman after 7 dead babies found in her former home are believed to be her own. She was arrested and charged with six counts of murder on Sunday.
Investigators believe Huntsman, 39, gave birth to the babies and then murdered them from 1996 – 2006, discarding them in cardboard boxes in her garage. Police are not releasing details about the bodies until DNA tests return or why there are six charges instead of seven.
Huntsman’s estranged husband made the gruesome discovery while cleaning out the garage. He alerted police to the scene of their former home after discovering the body of a full term infant on Saturday, Police Capt. Michael Roberts said. Upon arrival, the six other bodies were discovered.
Police say the man, later identified as Darren West, is believed to be the father of all seven children. West was recently released from prison but is not considered a person of interest. They believe he did not know of the murders.
When questioned by reporters on how West could have gone years without noticing the disappearance of his children, Roberts replied, “”That’s the million-dollar question. Amazing.” Instead, they are looking for answers from those closest to her.
Neighbors questioned by police said that Huntsman appeared to carry on a “normal life” in the middle class neighborhood of older homes. They are shocked that Huntsman’s three older daughters that stayed in the home did not grow suspicious of their mother. Neighbors said they did not know she was pregnant, thinking she had gained and lost large amounts of weight. Most neighbors agree they had no reason to believe anything was out of the ordinary.
Sharon Chipman, who lived next door to the home, told reporters she was a great neighbor and had watched her grandson.
“She took good care of him. She was good. This really shocks me,” she said.