DA: 5-Year-Old Found Alone; Mother Dead, Father Apparently Stabbed Own Neck in Grafton, Massachusetts

Police found the child's mother dead and her father injured after spotting the 5-year-old wandering in her pajamas

A 5-year-old girl wandering in her pajamas in Grafton, Massachusetts, led police to her dead mother and injured father, who was holding a knife to his own throat, according to prosecutors.

Police responded to the child's home on Worcester Street Wednesday morning after an officer spotted the girl walking down a busy street in her pajamas, headed in the direction of her preschool.

"She did say to the police officers in the vehicle that 'Mommy is sleeping,' 'Mommy is sick," said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.

The 5-year-old led police back to her home about a block away. Early said officers forced their way inside when they saw a man on the floor with a knife "protruding" from his neck. He was later identified as the child's father, 42-year-old Michael Sugarman, and police said his injuries appear to have been self inflicted.

The girl's mother, 36-year-old Kelly Sugarman, was dead in an upstairs bedroom, authorities said.

It was not immediately known what the child saw, Early pointed out.

Michael Sugarman was taken to the hospital. He was arraigned Thursday on a charge of assault and battery on a family member and ordered held without bail on unspecified charges. It's not clear if he has hired an attorney.

"Keeping in mind we are early in the investigation, the appropriate charges will be forthcoming," Early said.

The child was also examined at a hospital and was released into state custody.

An autopsy will be conducted on Kelly Sugarman to determine the exact cause and manner of her death.

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