MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. (Gray News) — A mother and grandmother in New York state are suspected of conspiring to kill four children and then themselves.
According to WCAX, police were called to Amy Steadman’s home in Mechanicville, New York, on June 23 for a welfare check after neighbors said they had not heard from the family for several days.
Inside, officers found six people dead: Steadman, 64; Sarah Myers, 44; Harper Harmon, 13; Hudson Harmon, 11; Gavin Harmon, 10; and Gracelynn Harmon, 10.
Investigators said Steadman was Myers’ mother and the children’s grandmother. Myers and her children lived in the same apartment complex, but not with Steadman.
Investigators initially believed Steadman was solely responsible for the deaths, but now they believe Myers was also involved.
According to WRGB, text messages revealed Myers and Steadman discussed getting medications and giving them to the children to kill them. The texts allegedly also showed the two discussing how to avoid suspicion.
Mechanicville police said evidence indicates the children were intentionally poisoned with prescription and over-the-counter medications. One of the children was also stabbed multiple times and had defensive wounds.
Police believe the children were killed on June 10, nearly two weeks before they were found dead on June 23.
Brady Harmon, the children’s father, said he believes the six-year custody battle over the children was at the center of the tragedy.
Harmon told WRGB that the children were scheduled to spend two months with him in Utah starting July 1 under a recent court-ordered custody agreement. It would have been the first time in six years that Harmon would have seen his children in person.
Police told WRGB that there were handwritten notes by Steadman and Myers found inside the apartment. The notes alleged that Harmon was abusing the children and that killing the children was the only way to keep them safe from being abused on their upcoming trip to see their father.
Harmon denied all abuse allegations.
“Yeah, it’s a little crap. I mean, you don’t protect someone by harming someone,” Harmon told WRGB.
In June, Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbit said the tragedy shocked the community.
“Mechanicville is a close-knit city. Many residents knew the family involved, have children and grandchildren of their own, or simply cannot comprehend the loss of six lives under such heartbreaking circumstances,” Rabbit said.
Copyright 2026 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.