A quiet Tennessee community has been left in shock after a father returned home to discover an unimaginable tragedy involving his two young daughters.
Authorities have since charged a 32-year-old woman with multiple offenses, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, following the deaths of the children inside the family’s residence in Kenton.
Investigators say the incident unfolded on June 13, when 38-year-old Tim Harris arrived at the home and found one-year-old Landrie Harris and 11-year-old McKenna Young dead from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
Mother Arrested Following Hospitalization
Police said Jessica Quarles, the children’s mother and Harris’ fiancée, was also found inside the residence suffering from what authorities described as apparent self-inflicted stab wounds.
She was transported to hospital in critical condition before later being released into police custody.
On Monday, Quarles was booked into the Obion County Jail.
In addition to two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, court records show she has also been charged with one count of aggravated child abuse, neglect, and endangerment involving a vulnerable child, as well as one count of aggravated child abuse, neglect, and endangerment of a child under the age of eight.
She remains behind bars without bond and is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment hearing on Monday.
Friend Says Father Never Suspected Anything Was Wrong
Hailey Wilson, a close friend of Harris, described the devastating impact the tragedy has had on the grieving father during an interview with WREG.
According to Wilson, Harris had no indication that anything like this could happen and remains haunted by the horrific scene he encountered inside his home.
She said the couple appeared deeply committed to one another and that nothing in their relationship suggested Quarles was capable of such violence.
“He didn’t expect it at all,” Wilson said, adding that Harris had never expressed concerns that would have led him to fear for his family’s safety.
Bond Between Father and Both Girls Remembered
Although McKenna Young was not Harris’ biological daughter, Wilson said he loved and cared for her exactly as he did his own child.
She described Harris as someone naturally suited to parenthood, saying he embraced both girls wholeheartedly and built a close relationship with McKenna throughout their time together.
Friends say the loss has been especially heartbreaking because of the strong family bond they had witnessed over the years.
Older Daughter Lived With Complex Medical Conditions
According to information previously shared by Quarles on social media, McKenna lived with several serious medical conditions, including autism, epilepsy, and Fragile X syndrome, an inherited developmental disorder that can cause intellectual disabilities and learning challenges.
Those who knew the family say Harris remained devoted to caring for her despite the additional challenges her medical needs presented.
Plea Against Public Speculation
Wilson has urged members of the public not to rush to conclusions about what may have led to the fatal incident while investigators continue their work.
She said speculation can deepen the pain experienced by surviving family members and stressed that people should wait for verified information before forming opinions about the circumstances surrounding the case.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed a possible motive.
Father’s Emotional Social Media Post
Following Quarles’ arrest, Harris expressed his anguish in a Facebook post, sharing her booking photograph and condemning the alleged actions that claimed the lives of the children.
His message reflected the overwhelming grief of a father now trying to process the deaths of both girls while seeking justice through the legal system.
Harris is also the father of an older son from a previous marriage.
Community Raises Funds to Support Grieving Father
In response to the tragedy, Wilson launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Harris cover funeral expenses and other financial burdens after taking time away from work to grieve.
In the campaign description, she wrote that Harris faces an incredibly difficult road ahead as he prepares to bury his daughters while coping with overwhelming emotional and financial challenges.
By Wednesday morning, the fundraiser had collected more than $6,000 in donations from supporters seeking to assist him during the aftermath of the devastating loss.
Investigation Continues
The circumstances that led to the children’s deaths remain under investigation, and authorities have not released additional details regarding a possible motive.
Quarles continues to be held without bond as the criminal case proceeds through the Tennessee court system. Local law enforcement has not issued further public comment beyond the charges already announced.
