Franklin County Children Services asking for public's help to find relatives of 3 children

Franklin County Children Services is asking for the public's help to identify relatives or close family friends to temporarily house three children whose parents were found dead Tuesday on Columbus' Northeast Side .

The children's parents, Sowmya Balasubramanian, 31, and Balasubramian Kathavarayan, 38, were found dead with gunshot wounds Tuesday evening in an apartment in what Columbus police homicide detectives say was an apparent murder-suicide. Detectives believe that Kathavarayan shot Balasubramian and then turned the gun on himself.

Children Services currently has custody of the three young children, who are 4,6, and 8 years old. The children had no history with FCCS prior to the deaths of their parents, the agency said in a media release Wednesday.

"When children can no longer safely remain in their parents' custody, FCCS prioritizes placing children in family-like settings and, when possible, in kinship-related homes," FCCS said. In addition to relatives, the agency is asking for help to identify teachers, coaches. church members, or neighbors in an effort to keep them connected to the community.

Anyone who might know a relative or family friend of the couple can call the 24-Hour Franklin County Child Abuse Hotline at 614-229-7000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis and needs help, you can call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeli ne.

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County Children Services asking for public's help to find relatives of 3 children