River Falls Dad Jailed after 3 Girls Found Dead at Home

Three young girls are dead and their father is in jail as police investigate an apparent triple homicide at a home in River Falls, Wis.

Officers responded to the home at 2790 Morningside Ave. around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday after the girls' mother called police, concerned about their safety because of statements made by their father.

Police found the bodies of the girls, ages 5 to 11, inside the home. They have been identified as 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophie, and 5-year-old Cecilia Lee Schaffhausen.

Officers say they noticed an odor of gas in the home but have not identified the cause of their deaths.

Police say the girls' father was taken into custody after he turned himself in at the police department. Police identify him as 34-year-old Aaron Schaffhausen. He has been booked on three counts of first degree intentional homicide, and formal charges are pending.

The mother, who was not home at the time, is safe and is cooperating with police as they investigate.

Court records show the couple filed a petition for divorce last year.

Police Chief Roger Leque says there's no danger to the public at this time.

The River Falls School District said staff and counselors would be at Greenwood Elementary from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.  It's open only to families and students of Greenwood.

There will be a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. tonight at Glen park in River Falls in honor of the girls.

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