Los Angeles: On Friday, May 28, 2004, at around 4:45 p.m., Los Angeles City paramedics were summoned to an apartment in the 5600 block of Ash Street in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles. Inside a bedroom at the location, they discovered two small children and a male adult with multiple stab wounds. The children were deceased, but the male adult, later identified as the children’s father, was still alive, although in an unconscious state.

Investigating detectives believe the man first stabbed his two children, a girl three years of age, and a boy two years of age, and then tried to kill himself in a similar manner. He has been identified as Carlos Martinez, age 32. The crime occurred at their residence, but their mother, Claudia Martinez, age 21, was not at home at the time.

The family reportedly arrived in the United States approximately three weeks ago and has been staying at the apartment with a family member and other individuals. The couple does not have any other children and a motive has not been determined at this time.

Mr. Martinez has been arrested for the murders of his two children. He is in serious, but stable, condition following surgery, and is being held without bail.

The Abused Child Unit is conducting this investigation, with the assistance of the Northeast Area Homicide Unit. Anyone with information regarding the murders is asked to contact Juvenile Division Detectives, at 818-756-8748. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number for the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Sara Faden, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.