The mother who stands accused in the deaths of two of her children broke her silence Wednesday, expressing grief and asking for privacy.
Edyan Farah's young son and daughter died inside a closet after police say she barricaded the doors and left them for hours.
The 28 year old mother made a brief court appearance in a Marion County courtroom Wednesday, prosecutors said they need more time to gather evidence and the judge granted her request. She is expected to be formally charged on Thursday.
Farah's lawyers, Jackie Butler, Mark King, and DawnMarie White issued the following statement on her behalf Wednesday:
Ebyan Farah will have no public comment in this matter, except to say she is devastated by her children's tragic deaths. She will avail herself of the criminal justice system.
Ebyan Farah hopes the media will be sensitive to the Somali community's sense of privacy and will not intrude in an effort to provide sensationalism in a manner that will ensure Ebyan Farah cannot receive a fair trial, not only in Marion County, but in the state of Indiana.
Farah did not address or elaborate on what she told police following her kids deaths. According to the arrest report said she barricaded her five children in a closet inside her apartment. She then left them there for more than ten hours before returning and finding two of them dead. Police say she then stopped an uncle from immediately calling 911.
Though autopsies are pending police believe the kids might have suffocated.
Despite what happened inside the apartment, it appears the entire family remains united. They also released a statement through Farah's lawyers, which reads:
The family of Ebyan Farah is devasted and shocked by this tragedy. Ebyan Farah's husband, uncles, friends, and the community at large would like the media to respect their privacy.
Mohamed Hersi, Ebyan Farah's Uncle said, "We are a tight community and we believe with God's help that we will face this tragedy with strength and faith."
Farah's husband, Bursan Hassan, is currently trying to gain custody of the three remaining children. On Wednesday his lawyer said Hassan was grieving for both his children and his wife. He also issued the follwing statement:
The family of Bursan Hassan respectfully requests its privacy be respected during this difficult time of grieving and loss. We decline any additional comment. Prayers for all family members are appreciated. Thank you.
John M. Schwartz
Attorney for Bursan Hassan
