Deadbeat dad with history of domestic assault murders 2-year-old daughter, 8-year-old son, and their mother (Eastpointe, Michigan)

Dad is identified as TIMOTHY FRADENECK.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/macomb-county/eastpointe-father-charged-with-3-counts-of-felony-murder-following-deaths-of-wife-2-children

Eastpointe father charged with 3 counts of felony murder following deaths of wife, 2 children Posted: 1:25 PM, Apr 15, 2015 Updated: 5:11 PM, Apr 15, 2015   

EASTPOINTE, Mich. (WXYZ) - An Eastpointe man has been charged with 3 counts of felony murder following the deaths of his wife and two children.

Timothy Fradeneck appeared in court to face the charges Wednesday afternoon. Loved ones on both sides of the family were in the courtroom. Fradeneck was also charged with four counts of child abuse.

He's accused of strangling his 37-year-old wife Christie Fradeneck, 2-year-old daughter Celest and 8-year-old son Timothy. According to police, Fradeneck told police he used a USB cable to strangle his family as they slept. Investigators say he told them he'd been planning the murders since August of 2014, but carried it out late Sunday night because "the opportunity presented itself". They say they still don't know the motive for the murders.

The wife and two children were found dead in their home on Monday, April 13 in the 22000 block of Cushing Avenue.

The judge entered a plea of not guilty on Fradeneck's behalf. When the judge asked him if he had anything say, he muttered that he would like to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge advised him that he would need to take that up with an attorney.

Christie's husband, and the father of the two kids, was arrested at the house without a fight. Police had responded do a welfare check. Timothy Fradeneck answered and told police his family was sleeping. The police officers said they needed to see them. After a few moments, police say Timothy Fradeneck confessed. He is now being held without bond.

"We've got families trying to prepare for funerals of a 2 year-old and an 8 year-old. No one should ever have to do that. No family should ever have to do that .. That's outside of my area of expertise, but what is in my area of experties .. is ensuring this defendant pays for what he did .. and we will ensure that," says Eric Smith, Macomb County Prosecutor.

Court records show the husband and wife had a chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2011. Christie was a part owner of a salon and had a Michigan Cosmetology license. The records show her husband was unemployed for a couple of years.

A family friend says his parents owned the home in which they lived.

Court records also show the husband had a domestic assault case in 2009 involving his own brother. It was pleaded down to a fine and one year probation.