Parents of Children Murdered by Nanny Thank Surviving Child for Saving Them Everyday

Kevin and Marina Krim are recovering from a parent's worst nightmare, the murder of their two children, and they have publicly acknowledged their third surviving daughter, "who saves us every day."

December 28 was the Krims' surviving daughter Nessie's birthday. Kevin Krim wrote on Facebook, "I want to wish our daughter Nessie a huge happy birthday. She turns four today. Marina and I couldn't be more proud of her. She is very smart, beautiful and tough. And she's grown so much over the past two months. She saves us every day."

Tragic: Manhattan nanny kills two children in her care

Perhaps eager to relate to other parents who have lost their children in tragic circumstances, the Krims began their personal posts shortly after the Sandy Hook shootings. On December 16, they wrote: "Our hearts especially go out to all the families who have lost their children in an act of unspeakable violence. As parents who are dealing with loss and grief, we understand how much these children will be missed every minute of every day." Since then, they have continued to update their Facebook page with remembrances of their two children, posting heartbreaking photographs of Leo and Lulu from infancy on.

In October, Marina Krim arrived home to her apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side to find her six-year-old daughter Lulu and her two-year-old son Leo dead from stab wounds in the bathroom. The children's nanny, Yoselyn Ortega, was lying nearby with a self-inflicted wound to the throat.

The crime was unimaginable to all parents, especially those who entrust their children's safety to nannies every day, and unbelievable for many who knew the Krims and their nanny who had taken care of the children for nearly two years. "A friend of Ms. Ortega recalled how fondly that she would speak of the Krims, saying she was well paid and treated decently," The New York Times reported. "Ms. Ortega said she happily put in extra hours to help Ms. Krim whenever she needed it."

Since then, Ortega, who survived her self-inflicted wound, has insinuated to police that she was unhappy with her employers. "She had resentment towards the parents," a law enforcement official said. "They were always telling her what to do." Ortega has been charged with first-degree murder.

The Krims announced the Lulu and Leo Fund, in honor of their two children, two months ago. On the website, the Krims explain their mission: "As the parents of Lulu and Leo, we want to honor our children through carrying on their love of arts and sciences education. Unfortunately, there are many children who do not have access to these programs. We created the Lulu & Leo Fund to help more children benefit from these education experiences in art and science."

Criminal prosecutor and author Loni Coombs has worked with many parents who had lost children or loved ones. She explains how the fund and its Facebook page play a part in the healing process. "Some of [the parents I worked with] took their grief and channeled it into ways to help others in similar circumstances," she told Yahoo! Shine. "Their work not only provided great assistance and comfort to others, it also helped these parents find some meaning in their lives again. It gave them a way to continue to honor and love their child or loved one."

"Parents become so consumed by their grief, they turn inward, isolating themselves from others, including their surviving children. The Krims are a noteworthy example of parents who continue to function as parents, no matter how difficult, holding their family together," says Coombs. "Putting their energy into maintaining that bond is one of the best ways for the parents and the surviving child (or children) to move through such a horrible catastrophe."

Related links:
Nanny suspected of killing two kids in NY home
Sandy Hook students resume classes for first time since school shooting
The small thing you can do to prevent another Sandy Hook


LuluLeoFund.org to Honor Krim Family