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LI Man Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Mother, Wounding Sister

BABYLON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police say a Long Island man is accused of stabbing his mother to death and wounding his sister.

Newsday says Joseph Kearns was arrested Friday in Babylon.

The commanding officer of the Suffolk County homicide squad, Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer, says 79-year-old Mina Kearns died of stab wounds. Her daughter, 59-year-old Katherine Kearns, has head and face wounds.

LI Man Accused Of Stabbing Mother To Death, Wounding Sister

Beyrer says Katherine Kearns summoned police around 7:20 a.m.

Police previously were called to the home about a dispute around 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Beyrer says officers searched the area but could not find Joseph Kearns at the time.

The killings were the talk of the neighborhood, 1010 WINS Derricke Dennis reported.

"Wow, yeah that's something I wouldn't expect in this area," neighbor Sean Carter said.

The suspect was adopted by the Kearns family at a young age, neighbors said.

"He was adopted, things were wrong with him. He was on medication," Carter said.

Police told 1010 WINS' Dennis that there may have been an issue with Kearns refusing to take his medication.

Kearns is awaiting arraignment Saturday on murder and assault charges. Information on his attorney was not immediately available.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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