Grandma Suspected of Poisoning Daughter and Four Grandchildren in Horrifying Case

A shocking new update in the deaths of a New York mother, her four children and their grandmother has left the small city of Mechanicville reeling.

Police now say evidence found inside 64-year-old Amy Steadman’s upstate New York home strongly suggests she was involved in the deaths of her daughter, Sarah Myers, 44, and Myers’ four children: 13-year-old Harper Harmon, 11-year-old Hudson Harmon and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon.

The six family members were found dead Tuesday evening inside Steadman’s apartment at the John Moore Homes complex in Mechanicville after a concerned neighbor called police for a welfare check.

Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt said Thursday that investigators recovered evidence inside the apartment pointing to intentional poisoning, including numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications.

“There is recovered evidence from inside the apartment indicating intentional poisoning,” Rabbitt told reporters.

Police also found a handwritten note that, along with other circumstantial evidence, “strongly suggests” Steadman was involved in the deaths, the chief said.

Authorities said there is no evidence that anyone outside the apartment was involved.

While the investigation is still ongoing, sources told Channel 13 that one of the children was stabbed and the others appear to have been poisoned. The outlet also reported that syringes were found inside the apartment and that the children may have been injected with drugs.

Rabbitt said the family had been dead for “an extended period of time” by the time officers arrived around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday. The bodies were so badly decomposed that responding officers could not immediately identify them.

The devastating discovery came just days before the children were reportedly supposed to begin a two-month custody visit with their father, Brady Harmon, in Utah.

Sources told Channel 13 that Steadman had allegedly become resentful after Harmon was granted custody time with the children, which was set to begin the following Wednesday.

Harmon told the Times Union that he had not seen his children in person since 2019 and had been excitedly preparing for their arrival when police came to his door with the unthinkable news.

“I went from, ‘I’m seeing my kids’ to ‘I’ll never see my kids again,’” Harmon said, according to the outlet. “Hope to hell.”

“Things happen, but nothing like this,” he added.

Harmon accused his ex-wife, Sarah Myers, of keeping the children from him and only allowing occasional FaceTime calls. Now, he says he wants to bury his children in Utah.

“I want them as far away as possible from their mother,” he told the Times Union through tears.

Police have stressed that the case remains under investigation and that it will take time before final conclusions are reached.

“Final determinations regarding responsibility will be made only after all investigative findings, toxicology results and medical reviews have been completed,” Rabbitt said.

The police chief said investigators believe the deaths occurred entirely inside the apartment and have found no evidence that another person entered the home or took part in the tragedy.