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    NYC twin 5-year-olds who were found vomiting, foaming at mouth were smothered to death: officials

    By Amanda Woods,

    2024-03-14

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3HUE9g_0rsXjaMW00

    The deaths of two 5-year-old twins found vomiting and foaming at the mouth in their Bronx apartment were both ruled homicides, the city medical examiner said in a shocking announcement.

    An autopsy determined that the siblings — originally believed to have died from a “medical emergency” — were smothered in December 2023, the examiner told The Post late Wednesday.

    Emergency responders found George and Gianna Katanka on the living room floor of their apartment on East 175th Street near Weeks Avenue in Mount Hope on Dec. 18, authorities and sources said at the time.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=19u4iX_0rsXjaMW00
    The deaths of both 5-year-old twins were ruled homicides by smothering, the city Medical Examiner’s Office said. Matthew McDermott

    A day later, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters that all signs pointed to a tragic incident.

    ‘Yellowstone’ star Cole Hauser mourns death of his mother: ‘We will meet again’

    “All reports were that Mom was well engaged with everything to do with these two children,” Kenny said at a press briefing.

    “She was an active participant with their medical care, an active participant in their schooling,” he said. “Neighbors say she was doting, and they were a quiet, loving family. At this time until the ME [medical examiner] says something different, it just appears to be a medical tragedy.”

    The twins — “special needs” children, according to Kenny — had been ailing and stayed home from school the day both were found dead.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4V8BNn_0rsXjaMW00
    An NYPD official previously said the deaths appeared to be the result of a “medical tragedy.” Peter Gerber

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    The boy had been sick for as long as two weeks with cold symptoms and was sent home from school the week before. His sister had been suffering from an ear infection, and had been vomiting and “acting irrational,” the mother told police, with the behavior described as “biting and spitting at school,” Kenny said.

    Law enforcement sources said the twins’ mother was so distressed over her children’s deaths that she had to be hospitalized for observation.

    The kids’ father — who was at work at the time — rushed home after learning what had happened, according to the sources.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0bb6jX_0rsXjaMW00
    The children had been ailing and stayed home from school the day both were found dead. Matthew McDermott

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    “I’m not good,” the distraught dad told The Post a day after the deaths. “I lost my two kids. Not good.”

    The news came as a shock to neighbors, who said they only knew the grieving mom as a doting parent who barely let the kids out of her sight.

    “She never let them walk by themselves. She always held their hands,” said Lansana Damsoko, a longtime tenant of the apartment building.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16YruP_0rsXjaMW00
    No arrests had been made in connection to the deaths by Thursday. Matthew McDermott

    “She waited in the [foyer] for the school bus to come and she held onto their hands and took them upstairs,” Damsoko added. “They were happy kids. Happy kids.”

    No arrests had been made in connection to the twins’ deaths by Thursday, the NYPD said.

    For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/

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