A Louisiana mother whose 2-year-old daughter was killed by her grandfather in a murder-suicide is speaking out about the tragedy and admitting she is still looking for answers.
According to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Adalynn Mae Sadler was fatally shot by her grandfather Leroy Sadler, 60, in the early morning hours of May 5 while visiting his home in Keithville.
Deputies also discovered her grandmother Judy, 64, and father James, 29, dead on the scene.
Following the tragedy, Adalynn’s mother, Kara Hanning, spoke with KSLA about her loss as she prepared to bury her only child — on Mother’s Day.
“I’m completely at a loss for words for that, because he loved that baby so much,” she said of Adalynn and her grandfather.
She added, “He did love her, and I’m not sure what caused this or what he was going through. I feel terrible because I wish he had asked for assistance.”
Hanning also described the dread she felt that morning when she learned of an incident on the street where Adalynn’s grandparents live.
She was at work at the time and stated that she immediately contacted Adalynn’s babysitter to ensure her daughter had been dropped off that morning.
The babysitter informed her that she hadn’t seen Adalynn or her father that day.
Hanning then attempted to contact Leroy, Judy, and James to check on her daughter, but received no response.
Hanning decided to drive home and reported that as soon as she pulled into her driveway, she was approached by detectives.
“And they just stared at me with the saddest expression, and I lost it. “I did, because I don’t think anyone would want to lose their baby like that,” Hanning explained.
According to the CPSO, deputies arrived at the residence shortly before 7 a.m. on May 6 in response to a welfare call and attempted to speak with someone inside.
A short time later, deputies heard a single gunshot from inside the home and entered to find the bodies of the deceased.
Hanning stated that Leroy’s stepdaughter had died of cancer only a few months prior, and he had also discovered that his wife was ill.
She also stated that she wishes she could have talked to him about his problems.
“I feel terrible because I wish he would’ve asked for help for whatever he was going through, and I don’t know what pain he must’ve been going through,” Hanning told me.
She went on to say that, despite Leroy’s actions, she does not hate him.
“I can’t hate him.” “I’ll never be able to hate him,” Hanning stated. “I have forgiven him for his actions. I wish it hadn’t happened, but I don’t hate that man.”
A family member has since created a GoFundMe to help Hanning cover the cost of her daughter’s funeral and other expenses.
