A 35-year-old woman in Montana has been sentenced to life behind bars for the heartbreaking act of killing her two young children by slitting their throats, claiming she did it to "save her babies."
Leannah J. Gardipe received two life sentences concurrently for the deaths of her 3-year-old and 5-year-old children, as ordered by Missoula County District Judge Robert Deschamps.
This ruling comes on the heels of the second anniversary of the tragic incident that occurred within the family's home on November 19, 2021.
During the sentencing, Travis Sandberg, Gardipe's ex-husband and the father of the children, emotionally appealed to the court to imprison Gardipe rather than institutionalize her for mental health reasons.
Sandberg expressed anguish over the tragic loss, citing concerns about Gardipe's mental health, which had been flagged earlier.
Gardipe, addressing the court, attempted to justify her actions, claiming she acted to protect her children from perceived threats. She expressed deep love for her children and anguish over their loss, stating that they visit her in her dreams, giving her solace.
The heartbreaking event unfolded when Gardipe's mother called 911, reporting that her daughter claimed to have "saved" her grandchildren. When questioned by her mother if this meant she had killed the children, Gardipe tearfully confirmed.
In a distressing 911 call, Gardipe admitted to stabbing the children and requested medical help, citing her belief that she was meant to die alongside them.
Upon the authorities' arrival, Gardipe briefly left her home but returned, refusing assistance and acknowledging her culpability in the tragedy.
The children were found in their beds, having suffered fatal injuries, with a bloodied knife discovered nearby. Additionally, a poignant letter was found, indicating a tragic rationale for the devastating act.
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