Statement by mother of two kids killed in Santa Rosa by estranged husband

The mother of two children found dead in a Slater Avenue apartment Monday, allegedly at the hands of their father, Alvaro Botelho da Camara, has written an open letter to the community:

Community of Sonoma County,

I sit here at 7:06 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 swaddled in my daughter's blanket and drinking tea from a cup that reads “I love you mom,” fighting back the tears and struggling to make sense of this horrific situation. As I hear updates and stories coming out in regards to my children's identity and pictures of them without my knowledge I am visibly distraught and upset. They are my precious innocent children that were beyond loved by their family, friends and community. I know I am not the only person that is or has gone through this horrific unimaginable situation, so please help me spread stories like this to raise awareness that is much needed to help prevent anything like this happening to another family. I sought help on numerous occasions and said many, many, many times my children were in danger in their father's care and I didn't receive the urgent help I needed to save them.

- A mother no longer able to hold her children.