Pennsylvania Mom Charged With Killing Husband, Son at Great Wolf Lodge
A 27-year-old Pennsylvania woman has been charged with killing her husband and their 3-year-old son inside a guest room at the Great Wolf Lodge, a family waterpark resort in the Pocono Mountains.
Metallica Rose Harrison of Towanda faces two counts of criminal homicide in the deaths of her husband, Charles Harrison, and their young son, Fox News reported. The boy is identified in court records only by his initials, and authorities have not released Charles Harrison's age.
What Police Found
Police were called to the resort in Scotrun, Pocono Township, around 3:13 p.m. Monday after Harrison phoned 911, according to an arrest affidavit. When asked if she was alone, she allegedly told the dispatcher her husband and son were "already gone in the bed."
Officers met Harrison at the doorway of the room with injuries to her wrist and neck. Inside, they found Charles Harrison with multiple stab wounds to the chest. The child appeared to have a single stab wound to the chest.
Harrison was taken to St. Luke's Hospital's Monroe Campus in Stroudsburg for treatment. She declined to speak with detectives after being read her rights, IBTimes reported.
Knives and Surveillance Footage
Investigators recovered a large kitchen knife on the bathroom floor and a smaller knife on the bathroom sink. Both had teal green handles. According to the affidavit, resort staff told police the knives were not the type the lodge keeps. Several medication bottles were also found scattered throughout the room.
Police catalogued 80 to 90 pieces of evidence. Surveillance footage showed all three family members entering the room around 6:53 p.m. Sunday. Later that night, Harrison and her husband visited the arcade and returned to the room around 11:22 p.m. The door was not seen opening again until officers arrived.
The family had checked in to the resort on September 21 and extended their stay on October 5, with checkout set for Tuesday.
Statements in the Ambulance
During the ambulance ride, Harrison allegedly said, "It wasn't supposed to end like this. I was supposed to have my happy family," according to the complaint.
She also allegedly told responders, "Every day, I work so hard. To be the best person, the best mother, the best wife."
Monroe County District Attorney Michael Mancuso called the complaint "disturbing reading" and described the room as a "complex double homicide scene." He said the motive remains unclear. "That's one of the most perplexing questions," he said.
"The investigation continues as we gather further evidence shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this horrendous situation," Mancuso said. He thanked Pocono Township police, Pennsylvania State Police forensic investigators and the county coroner's office for their work, and stressed that Harrison is presumed innocent. No attorney was listed for her in court records, and a preliminary hearing is pending.
Resort Remains Open
Police described the deaths as an isolated domestic incident and said there was no threat to the public. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac said autopsies on both victims are expected later this week.
Great Wolf Lodge said it was "deeply saddened and heartbroken by a tragic domestic incident" in a guest room. "It was an isolated family incident, and we're cooperating fully with local law enforcement," the company said.
Resort spokesperson Jason Lasecki said the lodge moved some guests to other rooms and cordoned off a small section of the building while police worked, WVIA reported. He said officers quickly determined there was no ongoing security concern, and the resort has resumed normal operations.
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