Dayton mom shoots 2 children: Neighbors create memorial

Not long after two children were found in the yard of a home on Lori Sue Avenue, shot in the head by their mother, police said, a neighbor installed a makeshift memorial.

"It was just in my heart as a mother. I have three kids myself," Lashawnda Jones told News Center 7's Mike Campbell on Thursday afternoon.

"Those babies didn't deserve that."

>>RELATED: Mom previously accused of child endangering

A stuffed bear and an array of balloons were among the first expressions of sympathy to be placed in the yard as a reminder of 8-year-old Khmorra and 6-year-old Kenden Helton.

Both remained in Dayton Children's Hospital on Thursday in critical condition. Their injuries are considered life-threatening, police and hospital officials have said.

Their mother, Claudena Helton, remained in the Montgomery County jail Thursday night, detained on single counts of felonious assault.

>>RELATED: Police: Dayton mom shoots 2 children

Another neighbor said people drove up and down the street all day, some stopping to drop off things to add to the memorial.

"I just feel sad. I just feel sad about the kids," said the neighbor, Roman Gibson.

He said he's holding onto hope that the children will pull through.

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