Father Elvis Noe Garcia-Nelasco charged with murder in child deaths

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- The father of two children recently stabbed to death has been charged with murder.

The father, Elvis Noe Garcia-Nelasco, was charged with two counts of murder and aggravated assault. Another man was originally charged in the stabbing, but the charges have since been dropped.

Officers responded to a quadruple stabbing at a home on Bridle Path Drive outside Lawrenceville on Wednesday, Gwinnett police Cpl. Jake Smith said. Officers made the gruesome discovery at about 6:30 p.m., Smith said.

The boys, 1-year-old Edward Garcia and 3-year-old Bradley Garcia, were found in the basement of the home, Smith said. He said another 3-year-old boy was also stabbed. The surviving child was flown to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, where he was in serious condition, police said.

Garcia-Nelasco, 23, was also found stabbed. He was taken to a local hospital in serious condition.

The suspect, Antonio Cardenas-Rico, 28, appeared before a judge Thursday afteoon and was formally charged with two counts of murder. Smith said Saturday the charges have been dropped, but he remains in police custody on charges.

Gwinnett police will hold a press conference on the case at 5 p.m. Saturday.