Mother charged with fatally stabbing 5-year-old girl in Chicago

CHICAGO — A mother charged in the fatal stabbing of her 5-year-old daughter is expected in court Monday.

Simone Austin, 27, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Serenity Arrington.

Police said officers responded to reports of a stabbing around 9 a.m. Saturday and found 5-year-old Serenity with multiple stab wounds on her body, including her throat.

The girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her death was ruled a homicide.

According to police, the stabbing happened inside the house of the girl’s grandfather. Police said they are familiar with the home, located in East Garfield Park, Illinois.

“There were prior calls to the address. We just don’t know at this time why … what happened today. But there were multiple calls,” said Chicago police officer Jose Jara.

Police say Austin approached officers at the scene and was taken into custody.

The details behind the incident remain unclear.

More headlines from CBS17.com:

• NASA discovers water on the sunlit surface of Moon
• It’s back! How to grab KFC’s fried chicken-scented firelog before it sells out
• New program could help families cover childcare costs in Wake County amid pandemic
• UNC, Duke football given noon kickoff
• CBS 17 Job Alert – Sheetz, Darden Restaurants are hiring