A three-year-old girl has been hailed "an absolute hero" after she kept her two-month-old baby brother alive for days following their parents' murder-suicide.

The two children were reportedly trapped in a home, in the Chatsworth neighbourhood of Los Angeles, for more than three days after their father shot and killed their mother before taking his own life.

Police believe the shooting took place on Thursday 18 April around 6am, according to Los Angeles Daily News.

The newspaper said the children were rescued on Easter Sunday after their concerned grandfather rang police.

He was said to have been aware his 46-year-old son, David Parsa, had mental health issues such as depression and stress.


The mother has been named as Mihoko Koike Parsa, 38.

The children were said to have been found dehydrated and hungry but fully-clothed, with the girl possibly dressed for school and the boy inside his cot.

They were both unharmed and were treated at a local hospital, with no indication they had witnessed the shooting, the newspaper quoted police as saying.

But neighbours who helped rescue the children, who are now in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, said the girl remembered hearing a loud noise and her mother crying.

"Our little angel was able to keep herself and her brother alive," said Los Angeles police captain Maureen Ryan, as reported by Fox 5.

"The baby is a miracle baby, and the little girl is a hero. She's an absolute hero."

The girl is described as bright by her pre-school teachers and is said to love to sing and dance.

Locals have raised $2,000 (£1,550) in donations for the children, along with baby supplies.

Police have reportedly been in touch with the mother's family in Japan.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.