Woman charged with murder after juveniles found dead in burning Paulding County home

June 26, 2022–3:07 p.m.

PAULDING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE

At approximately 9:19 pm on June 24, Paulding E-911 received a call about a domestic disturbance and house fire at 776 Woodwind in Rockmart.

It was reported that a female who was inside the home was attempting to stab the occupants and that at the time of the call, the home was on fire and the occupants were inside.

Paulding County Deputies and Firefighters arrived on the scene quickly and entered the home to rescue the occupants. The fire was eventually extinguished and Paulding County Detectives, Paulding County Fire Investigators, Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) Agents, and State Fire Marshal’s Investigators diligently went to work to make sense of the chaotic scene.

Seven juveniles were located inside the home, two of which were pronounced deceased on the scene. Three additional juveniles were taken to local hospitals and the remaining two juveniles did not appear to have injuries. Two of the children taken to the hospital have since succumbed to injuries.

A female, later identified as Darlene Brister, B/F, 40, was located on the property and taken into custody. Brister was subsequently transported to the Paulding County Detention Center where she is currently charged with two counts of Malice Murder (F) O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(a) and is being held with no bond. As the investigation continues, additional charges are likely. Since the victims involved are juveniles, their personal and identifying information will not be released at this time.

If you have any information about this case, please feel encouraged to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division Tip Line at (770)443-3047 or via the Paulding County Sheriff mobile app.

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