Georgia man seeks forgiveness for his wife who is accused of fatally stabbing three of their young children before setting fire to their home

The husband of a Georgia woman, who authorities say fatally stabbed three of their youngest seven children before torching their home, is asking for forgiveness for his wife.

The Pauling County Sheriff’s Department reports that they received an 911 call Friday night regarding the home fire and domestic disturbance. The caller informed dispatchers that a woman was at Darlene and Ricky Brister’s home and was attempting to stab other residents.

When first responders arrived, they found the couple’s 3-year-old with multiple stab wounds and the 8-month-old dead with stab wounds. They rescued seven children from the fire. A five-year-old who was stabbed later died in hospital.

Ricky Brister said his wife was struggling with mental health issues at the time.

“She was hurt… she was. … she lost it,” said Brister, who was reportedly heading home from another state when the tragedy struck.

“I know it was a psychological situation,” he said. “We tried to get help.”

A neighbor wrote on a fundraising website that some of the children, as young as 16, jumped out of the house’s second-story windows. One of the two children, aged 9 and 11, who are currently hospitalized has sustained a leg injury, the other is in critical condition with burn injuries.

The family lost all their belongings in the fire and is asking for donations. Still, Ricky said he has “no hatred” toward his wife of 17, who he said battles depression.

“I’m definitely, definitely hurt by what she did, but I still have to move on,” he said.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Paulding County authorities say Darlene stabbed five of her seven children, ages 8 months to 16 years, to death before setting the family home on fire. Darlene, who was arrested when deputies arrived in the backyard of the home, could face more charges as the state and local investigations continue.

“Investigators have been working diligently to understand the chaotic scene,” Paulding County Sheriff’s spokesman Tyler McSwain said.

Darlene Brickers was charged with two counts of malicious murder on Monday June 27 and was denied bail.

However, Ricky said he forgives his wife and is focused on loving the children he left behind.

“You’ve already been taken. She’s already been forgiven,” he said. “He hopes that the rest of the world could show her forgiveness too. I want people to love people as Christ loved the Church and forgive them, have an open heart and compassion.”

“If I could talk to her, I would want her to know that I still love her. I want her to know — I want her to get the help she needs,” added Ricky Brister.