A Vermont mother who lost custody of her 9-year-old daughter is considered the alleged perpetrator in 4 killings, including three relatives and the social worker involved in her custody case.
According to Gov. Peter Shumlin, 40-year-old Jody Herring is responsible for the deaths of an aunt and two cousins that were found dead on Saturday morning at a Berlin residence. The governor returned on Saturday after being informed of the killings.
Herring was already in custody after being accused of having murdered Lara Sobel, the social worker responsible for handling the 40-year-old’s custody case. Sobel was fatally shot on Friday outside a building in Barre. The case that Sobel was handling for the Vermont Department for Children and Families resulted in Herring losing custody of her daughter, aged 9.
Herrings arraignment had been scheduled for Monday afternoon. In the meantime, the woman would be held without bond at the Chittenden Regional Correctional facility.
At least two of the other victims discovered on Saturday were also shot, authorities reveal. According to Gov. Shumlin, Vermont residents are not only horrified and shocked but also grief-stricken after hearing about these killings. The governor added that he was unable to remember a similar murder in his entire lifetime, especially by the same perpetrator.
Because of the fact that the investigation is still underway, Gov. Shumlin declined to offer additional details. Henoted that Rhonda and Regina Herring (the woman’s cousins) were in their 40’s. Their mother, Julie Ann Folzorano was in her early 70s.
Sobel’s family thanked the community for their support and asked for privacy during these difficult moments. They mentioned, however, that Sobel’s death shouldn’t go unnoticed and should help raise awareness of the numerous dedicated professionals whose only goal is that of ensuring the welfare of children.
Herring’s 9-year-old daughter is currently in state custody, officials note. The governor ensured Vermonters that there is no fear that the attacks would continue.
“[We] firmly believe that this was an isolated attack based upon the person we have in custody, who is the alleged perpetrator of these crimes,” he said.
