SEATTLE (AP) — The social worker who was supposed to supervise a visit between Josh Powell and his young sons says Powell told his oldest boy he had a “surprise” for him moments before attacking the children.
Elizabeth Griffin Hall told ABC News that Powell slammed the door on her after he had the children inside. Hall says she banged on the door to try to get inside.
She says she heard Powell tell 7-year–old Charlie “I’ve got a big surprise for you.” She also heard 5-year-old Braden crying. Authorities say Powell then set a house fire that killed them all.
Hall says the children loved being with their father, who had lost custody of them. Josh Powell was a “person of interest” in the 2009 disappearance of his wife in Utah.
