'Two little angels': Distraught grandfather of two-year-old twin boys who were murdered by their mother speaks out

  • Mireya Alejandra Lopez, 22, appeared in an Arizona court on Monday as she was arraigned on charges of first-degree and attempted murder
  • Mother was arrested at home after Lopez's mother found twins drowned
  • Lopez's mother intervened and saved Lopez's step-brother from death too
  • The deceased twins have now been identified as Jeremiah and Isaiah
  • The step-grandfather of the boys said they 'did not deserve that at all' 

By Associated Press and Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 20:40 EST, 31 August 2015 | Updated: 21:11 EST, 31 August 2015

Mireya Alejandra Lopez, 22, appeared in court on Monday on first-degree murder charges 

Mireya Alejandra Lopez, 22, appeared in court on Monday on first-degree murder charges 

The step-grandfather of the two-year-old twin boys who were allegedly drowned by their mother because she felt nobody loved them or her and she didn't want them to have a hard life has spoken out about their deaths. 

Daniel Marino, who identified himself as the step-grandfather of the sons of Mireya Alejandra Lopez, briefly spoke with reporters, saying the 'two little angels did not deserve that at all'.

Marino also said Lopez, 22, was recently released from mental health treatment and that he had 'saved her' after she attempted suicide when doctors changed her medication. 

The Arizona woman told investigators she drowned her twin boys and tried to kill her three-year-old step-brother because she didn't want them to live with the difficulties she faces.

She also said she and her twins weren't loved, investigators said in court records. 

Police initially declined to release the names of the three boys involved in Sunday's attack, but the twins have been identified as Jeremiah and Isaiah, according to 12 News. 

Marino, who is married to Lopez's mother, was thankful his son was able to survive the attack because his wife fought off Lopez, but admitted he did not know what he would tell the boy. 

He said: 'They were just so full of life and had a big future.

'I raised [the two children] just like my own. It's just heartbreaking that they're not here.

'Isaiah and Jeremiah, two little angels. [They] did not deserve that at all.'

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Daniel Marino, who identified himself as the step-grandfather of the murdered twin sons of his step-daughter, briefly spoke with reporters on Monday, saying the 'two little angels did not deserve that at all'

Daniel Marino, who identified himself as the step-grandfather of the murdered twin sons of his step-daughter, briefly spoke with reporters on Monday, saying the 'two little angels did not deserve that at all'

Marino also said Lopez was recently released from mental health treatment and that she had attempted suicide

Marino also said Lopez was recently released from mental health treatment and that she had attempted suicide

Police had declined to release the names of the boys, but they have been identified as Jeremiah and Isaiah

Police had declined to release the names of the boys, but they have been identified as Jeremiah and Isaiah

A small memorial with flowers was set up for the twins outside the stucco house in suburban Avondale where they were killed. 

Marino's three-year-old son survived the attack

Marino's three-year-old son survived the attack

Court records released Monday said Lopez told investigators that she takes medication for depression, schizophrenia and psychosis. 

Still, investigators said it's unknown whether her mental condition was linked to the deaths or whether the difficulties she cited were psychological issues.

Lopez offered several reasons for the attacks, including that her kids were bullied and that her step-brother rarely ate and was anti-social. 

Lopez is accused of drowning her sons Sunday in a bathtub at the home and then wrapping them in a blanket.

Police also said she stuck a pen in the neck of one of her sons to ensure that he would die.

The deaths were discovered by Lopez's mother, who thought the twins were asleep but eventually noticed they weren't breathing. 

The grandmother yelled for help and, along with someone else who was at the home, tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate them.

While the lifesaving measures were made, police said the grandmother could hear Lopez in the bathroom, where Lopez was found trying to drown her step-brother. 

A small memorial with flowers was set up for the twins outside the stucco house where they died 

A small memorial with flowers was set up for the twins outside the stucco house where they died 

Lopez was arrested on Sunday after allegedly drowning her twin two-year-old sons in a bathtub in Avondale

Lopez was arrested on Sunday after allegedly drowning her twin two-year-old sons in a bathtub in Avondale

The suspect's mother managed to pull the boy to safety and the three-year-old wasn't injured.

Lopez was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. 

During a brief court appearance early Monday, Lopez spoke in a quiet voice when asked to provide her name and date of birth. 

Her bail was set at $2million and she is scheduled for a court hearing Friday.

The boy's father, Samuel Avitia, declined to comment.

Lopez had three children, according to court records. 

It's not yet known whether Lopez has a lawyer. 

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