Newly released court records are shedding light on the disturbing sequence of events that unfolded inside a Northlake home before a woman allegedly stabbed her husband and two young children early Tuesday morning.
Holly Flores now faces attempted capital murder charges in connection with the attack. Her husband Justin Hommel told investigators that Flores had been struggling with postpartum depression and that her behavior had noticeably changed in the days leading up to the incident.
According to the arrest affidavit Hommel said he woke up during the night to find Flores lighting a candle with a kitchen knife sitting on the bedroom dresser. The couple argued and Flores locked Hommel out of the bedroom before he eventually returned to sleep.
He was jolted awake a second time by the sound of his children crying. Hommel called 911 and told dispatchers he was being chased through the house by Flores who was armed with the knife. Both children were discovered with stab wounds to their chests.
Northlake police confirmed that officers had responded to five separate welfare check calls at the residence since March. Authorities have not released further details about those prior calls or whether Flores was receiving any mental health treatment at the time of the attack.
The case is prompting renewed conversation about the broader spectrum of postpartum mental health conditions. Licensed clinical psychologist Andrea Niles said that postpartum depression is often misunderstood as the only concern to watch for after childbirth.
Niles said symptoms can include anxiety, intense anger, irritability and confusion. She noted that family members are often the first to notice behavioral changes and can play a critical role in getting help before a crisis occurs.
Flores remains in custody and investigators have not officially established whether a diagnosed mental health condition directly contributed to the alleged attack.