Family of Three River Falls Girls Thanks Community for Support

The family of three River Falls girls killed last week has issued a statement, thanking those who have reached out in support.

11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophie, and 5-year-old Cecilia Schaffhausen were found dead in their home July 10th.  Their father, 34-year-old Aaron Schaffhause is charged with three counts of first degree intentional homicide.

River Falls City Administrator Scot E. Simpson said Monday that police are still trying to find a Sony VAIO laptop and Targus laptop bag believed to belong to Aaron Schaffhausen.  They suspect Schaffhausen got rid of the laptop and bag sometime between when the children were killed and when he drove to the police station and was taken into custody.

"These items may be located along the side of the road or in a ditch," said Simpson.  "Mr. Schaffhausen may have traveled using roads leading east or north of the 2790 Morningside Avenue address to include as far away as Baldwin, Wisconsin."

Police also released a photograph of the metallic blue 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Schaffhausen was driving that day.  It has Calfornia license plates.

"Should any citizen discover these items, they can contact the River Falls Police Department immediately at 715-425-0909," said Simpson.  "We are also asking any citizen who may have seen a vehicle matching this description between 1:30pm  and 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 to contact the River Falls Police Department at the same phone number."

On Monday, River Falls Police issued this statement on behalf of the girls' mother, Jessica Schaffhausen:

The family wants to thank everyone for respecting our privacy while we are grieving the loss of three wonderful, bright, happy and engaging girls - Amara, Sophie, and Cecilia.  We sincerely want to thank the local public agencies for their support during this  trying time. They include:

• River Falls Police Department
• City of River Falls
• St. Croix Sheriff’s Department
• St. Croix Victim Assistance Program
• St. Croix District Attorney's Office
• River Falls School District
• Pierce County Sheriff's Department
• Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office

We also want to sincerely thank all those who have reached out to our family in many different ways, and especially to everyone who has donated to the Benefit Account for the Schaffhausen Children, spurred on by Paul Rode, Owner of Agave Restaurant. Our thanks also to all the community members and to the United
Universalist Society of River Falls in organizing two candlelight vigils in honor of our girls.

We are deeply moved by the outpouring of love, concern and care expressed by everyone we have encountered during this difficult time, and it has helped us immensely to know that this community is supporting us during this terrible tragedy.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 7:00 pm at Kilkarney Hills Golf Club (163 Radio Road, River Falls). Visitation will also be Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 pm at Kilkarney Hills. Private family services and interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated in Amara, Sophie and Cecilia's names to the River Falls Community Food Pantry 222 N Main St. River Falls, WI 54022 or Benefit Account for the Schaffhausen Girls: First National Bank, PO Box 166 River Falls, WI 54022.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.