Deaths of twin Pearland toddlers ruled homicide

PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- A Harris County Medical Examiner has ruled the death of twin toddlers a homicide.

"I heard the sirens," said neighbor Jontelle Mitchell. "They (police) were all the way down the street, just lined up on both sides."

Mitchell said she remembers that February 17 morning when Sabrina and Savannah Russo, 15 months old, were found unresponsive in bathtub. The toddler's mother was seen outside by neighbors in a panic as paramedics rushed the girls away.

"Their bodies were limp," said one neighbor.

The girls were taken to the hospital by helicopter. One of the girls died that day, the other died days later.

"It's sad, I don't know what to say," said neighbor Nathan.

All some could do is pray and place balloons and ribbons around trees outside the Russo's home. On Wednesday we found two flower arrangements near the front door. The cards were still attached.

"I was just mentioning it to one of my coworkers. I wondering, you know, what's going on with it, 'cause I haven't heard of anything," said Mitchell.

Some neighbors said they didn't want to jump to conclusions, but on Wednesdsay, they found out a piece to the puzzle of how the twin girls died. The medical examiner ruled the girls' manner of death a homicide; the cause was drowning.

"It's devastating. That something like that could happen to them. It's just heartbreaking," said Mitchell.

Neighbors said the family has not been seen since the tragedy. One neighbor said the Russo's moved away and are trying to get their lives back together.

The Russo's attorney's told Eyewitness News they have no comment about the ruling. No charges have been filed at this time.