BERKELEY, Mo. — A man was charged Sunday for the killings of his mother and his 11-year-old niece in Berkeley, the city's police department said.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Lawrente' O'Cain, 28, with two counts each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
According to the Berkeley Police Department, officers responded at about 5 p.m. Saturday to perform a welfare check at a home on the 8300 block of Redfir Drive.
Officers found O'Cain's 53-year-old mother dead in the living room and his niece in a bedroom. Both had been stabbed to death.
Family members and police identified the victims as Mioshi McCloud and My’Elle Harris on Monday.
O'Cain was taken into custody at the scene. He had blood on his body and wounds on his hands, according to a probable cause statement.
The girl's mother told police her daughter had called her and said she had been stabbed. The woman then called her mother, who also lived at the home, and said O'Cain picked up the phone while breathing heavily and told her that her daughter was asleep.
Family said McCloud moved from Seattle to St. Louis recently with her 11-year-old granddaughter. They were living with O'Cain.
The home on Redfir Drive is right behind the Berkeley Police Department and in walking distance to Berkeley Elementary. A spokesperson with the Ferguson-Florissant School District confirmed Harris was a student there.
McCloud's sister, Schwanda Taylor, told 5 On Your Side they all moved for a fresh start and to be closer to family members in St. Louis.
Taylor said, "She was all smiles, even when things got hard. She was very talented and very loved. She was always looking out for others and loved her children with all of her heart."
McCloud's niece added, "She loved her family!!! She loved hard!!! She was all about FAMILY!"
As for resources, north St. Louis County nonprofit JADASA aims to curb domestic and sexual abuse.
One of their targeted areas is Berkeley and that's why this double homicide hits home.
As a survivor, the nonprofit's founder and executive director Dr. Cynthia Bennett wants to empower.
"This is something we are seeing too much of. Because it's their child it's hard for them to say, my child is abusing me but it happens often and abuse is abuse," Bennett said.
According to court documents, one week prior to all this, McCloud went to the Berkeley Police Department and reported her son was making threats to her and her granddaughter.
That's why Bennett wants to partner with police and send a reminder of the valuable resources.
"We will do everything we can to assist so we do not have another one of these situations," she added.
To connect with JADASA, call 314-269-0100 or 1-800-292-2145.
Click here to donate to the family's GoFundMe.
The GoFundMe said, "Addressing mental health issues is imperative to the growth of our communities. We have to address concerns before it becomes too late such as this case."
The money raised is meant to bring the two victims back home to Seattle.
O'Cain was being held at the St. Louis County jail without bond.
He had his initial appearance in court Monday. There will be a bond reduction hearing on June 24. There is a preliminary hearing July 17.
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