POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A 31-year-old man has been arrested after the mother of his twin daughters was found dead Monday morning inside an apartment in Pompano Beach.
Philip Edwards was taken into custody later in the day on charges of second-degree murder, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, violating the terms of his probation and two counts of child neglect.
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On Tuesday, Police identified the victim as 35-year-old Kathi Blankenberg.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the twin toddlers were found inside the home Monday morning, as well, but they were unharmed.
According to BSO spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis, authorities received a call shortly before 5:30 a.m. Monday regarding the woman who had been shot inside the home in the 600th block of Gardens Drive.
“Pretty terrifying that it happened so close because this is our building right here,” Mark Snyder, who lives in the area, told Local 10 News.
Deputies said someone inside the home called 911 to report the shooting.
Authorities said Edwards tried to get his nephew to lie about his whereabouts, but detectives tied him to the shooting after the shell casings at the scene matched the gun that Edwards was found with.
Edwards has a lengthy criminal history with charges for forgery, grand theft auto, burglary, aggravated battery and various drug charges.
He appeared in bond court Tuesday, at which time he inquired about his daughters’ whereabouts.
“What’s up with my two daughters? Are those going to my parents?” he asked.
A shelter hearing for the toddlers is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Edwards is being held at the Broward County Main Jail without bond.