There was a candlelight vigil Thursday night for 8-year-old Edson and 5-year-old Lason Brito, who were stabbed to death in their Brockton, Mass. apartment.
As friends and family mourn their deaths, the boys' mom, Latarsha Sanders, remains in custody facing two counts of murder.
The boys' father is still in disbelief.
“So much grief, so much pain,” said Edson Brito, Sr. “I’m still not thinking they’re gone. I’m not.”
Prosecutors said in court Tuesday that Edson had been stabbed at least 50 times.
“She’s not a bad parent,” said Brito. “She always put them kids first.”
Prosecutors say Sanders has made statements admitting to the crime, even referencing rituals and voodoo.
“I never noticed her practicing voodoo...witchcraft,” said Brito. “She wasn’t into it because I was around her.”
Latarsha’s mother says her daughter struggled with mental illness.
“We’re all there for her regardless of what she did,” said Earline Sanders. “If she needs help, get her help first and then send her to jail. She took care of those kids, she loved them to death.”
Dozens of people came out to pay tribute to the two children Thursday evening.
“Just because we don’t know them doesn’t mean we can’t pray for them,” said Tracy Henningson.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the burial costs for Edson and Lason.
Sanders remains in custody and is being held without bail.
