North Carolina Mother Faces Murder Charges in Alleged Child Killing
Chilling 911 audio recordings have emerged from a tragic incident in Durham, North Carolina, where a mother allegedly murdered one of her young children and attempted to kill the other. The recordings capture neighbors' desperate pleas for help as the horrifying scene unfolded on Chartwell Court on February 12.
Frantic Emergency Calls Reveal Disturbing Details
According to newly released emergency calls, at least two neighbors contacted authorities during the crisis. One caller provided a particularly vivid account during a frantic seven-minute conversation with dispatchers.
'The emergency is across the street from me. Somebody came out of the house yelling for help, saying she tried to kill the babies,' the neighbor told authorities, according to reports from local news outlets.
The caller described seeing someone emerge from the home with a child 'slumped over their shoulder' while screaming for police assistance. In the background, a man's desperate cries could be heard as neighbors rushed to the scene.
'I looked out and at the house across the street and somebody came out, with a child that was slumped over their shoulder saying, 'Help! Help! Call the police. She tried to kill the babies,'' the caller recounted.
Children Found Unresponsive at Home
Andrea Faust, 41, of Durham, was arrested on murder and attempted murder charges after her two children, both under five years old, were discovered unresponsive at their Chartwell Court residence. According to WNCN News, one child later died at a hospital while the other remained in recovery as of last week, with the nature of their injuries still undisclosed.
The 911 audio reveals that a man carried one of the children onto the front lawn and laid him down while neighbors attempted to revive him. 'They are also saying someone else is inside and they think they are dead,' the caller added urgently. 'I really think you need to expedite things. This is ridiculous. The child just looks limp.'
Another emergency call contained even more dire information, with a witness telling dispatchers, 'He says one of the children is dead.'
Mental Health Crisis Cited in Court Proceedings
During a court hearing on Tuesday, Faust's husband Eric addressed the judge directly about the circumstances surrounding the alleged crimes. 'I want to let the court know this was a complete mental health crisis,' he stated, according to WRAL News coverage of the proceedings.
Faust appeared in court from a hospital bed after being hospitalized following a suicide attempt at Durham County Jail. She had been scheduled for a court appearance on February 16, just three days after her arrest, but was instead receiving medical treatment.
County prosecutors requested that Faust be placed on suicide watch due to the severity of the charges against her. Durham County Assistant District Attorney Mary Jude Darrow specifically asked for close supervision, leading to a motion to place Faust in the safekeeping unit at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh.
Family and Community React to Tragedy
Eric Faust shared hopeful news about their surviving child during the court hearing. 'We still have Kenny Faust, who I am happy to announce is going to make a complete and full recovery,' the father stated before addressing his wife directly.
'You are still his mother, and I promise you, if you do everything you can to address your mental health, I will keep you updated on his progress in life and hopefully, there will be a time when you can see him again,' he added emotionally.
The husband pleaded with both his wife and the court, emphasizing that those who knew Andrea described her as a loving mother. 'Anyone will tell you what a tremendous, tremendous mother Andrea was. These were not the actions of my wife,' he asserted.
Neighbor Charlene Montford, who has known Faust for over a decade, echoed this sentiment in interviews with local media. 'She's not an awful person, she's not,' Montford told WRAL News, describing Faust as a 'very loving mother' who had recently shown behavioral changes.
'Only like the last month or so,' Montford noted regarding the observed changes. 'Before that, she was very engaged with the kids. She would try to get them out when the weather was nice.'
The neighbor described Faust as previously being 'the sweetest woman,' but noted she had grown increasingly stressed since the birth of her second child. 'She was no longer working. She was staying home with both of the boys. There were health challenges with the boys. I think that took a toll on her,' Montford added.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings Continue
The Durham Police Department arrested Faust the day after the incident, with city and county officers remaining at the home overnight to collect evidence. Authorities towed an SUV from the driveway as part of their investigation.
Additional details emerged from other emergency communications, with one neighbor reporting they could hear a woman screaming in the background that her daughter had overdosed. A separate audio clip revealed first responders confirming they had administered Narcan to someone at the scene.
Faust has been denied bond and ordered to receive mental health services while in custody. She is represented by a public defender, with her next hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, at 8:45 AM.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Faust teaches at two community colleges: Guilford Technical and Central Carolina. The case continues to develop as authorities investigate the full circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
