Three toddlers are now orphaned and away from the only home they knew, after a murder-suicide inside a Mandeville house on Jasmine Street.
St. Tammany Parish deputies say the children’s mother was shot and killed on June 20. The suspect, Richard Skyles, allegedly opened fire on deputies before turning the gun on himself.
“These kids are one, three, and four,” said local business owner Verazonda Walker. “And for them to be able to go to all one home instead of having to go to the system … as a community, that’s something that we need to be doing on a regular basis.”
Skyles had a documented history of violence and drug use. In 2014, he was arrested on drug charges. In 2022, he was charged with domestic abuse battery. That charge was later reduced to simple battery.
Now, the community is trying to fill in the gaps that the system didn’t catch in time.
“They’re going to need help with school, getting all their school stuff together,” Walker said. “And not only just those three kids that are affected, the additional children that are in the home already.”
A local nonprofit, Project Blessings All Year Round, is stepping in to help. They’re collecting donations at Perma Power Generators in Abita Springs.
“The basic essentials of living,” said Project Blessings CEO Tiffany McGary Cyprian. “They’re going to need clothing, shoes, socks, underwear, pajamas … those basic necessities. And also, I always say laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper. Those are things that are going to help offset an expense for the family that did take them in.”
That family now has nine people living under one roof … trying to adjust to a new life overnight.
“I don’t feel you have to know someone personally to help,” Cyprian added, “but you should know and realize that there is a need right now. There’s a need in our community in St. Tammany Parish for these children.”
Ways To Help
Venmo – @TiffanyProjectBlessings
Zelle – 985-710-5699
Paypal- @ProjectBlessings
Cash App- $ProjectBlessings
Mail Checks- PO Box 2831, Covington, LA 70434 (payable to: Project Blessings All Year Round)
Click here for drop-off event link
Drop Off Location: Perma Power Generator and Sales
69311 Highway 59 Abita Springs, LA
Clothing Sizes:
Emy: 4t/5t girl
Landon: 6/7 boy
Harper: 3T girl
Shoe Sizes:
Landen size 1
Emy size 11
Harper size 7/8
LIST : Clothing, Shoes (awaiting sizes), socks, under clothes, pajamas, Pull Ups Sz 4/5 or Diapers Sz 6, Twin Sheets sets for beds, laundry detergents (to assist with daily living necessities), any monetary donations can be tax-deductible.
READ MORE:3 Northshore toddlers now orphaned after Mandeville murder-suicide
