Former Mother-in-Law Says Memphis Mom Accused of Killing Children Was ‘Sweet’

Patricia Johnson talks about the killings of four children who were found stabbed to death in a gated neighborhood Friday, July 1, 2016, in suburban Memphis, Tenn. AP Photo/Adrian Sainz

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  — The Latest on the fatal stabbings of four young children in Tennessee (all times local):

7:15 p.m.

The grandmother of a 7-year-old boy who authorities say escaped a knife attack by his mother says the woman was “a sweet, young lady” and she does not understand what could have led her to attack her children.

Sonya Clayton and about 30 other people attended a candlelight prayer vigil for four children who sheriff’s officials say were fatally stabbed by their mother in an apartment in unincorporated Shelby County on Friday.

Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies work the scene where four young children were fatally stabbed at the Greens of Irene apartment, Friday, July 1, 2016 in Memphis, Tenn. Four young children were stabbed to death in a gated apartment complex in suburban Memphis on Friday, and police took their mother into custody for questioning. Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal via AP