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Parents Of Children Allegedly Slain By Nanny Reach Out Through Facebook

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The parents of a young brother and sister who were murdered – allegedly by their beloved nanny in their Upper West Side apartment – are reaching out.

As CBS 2's Dana Tyler reported Monday, they are using the Internet to express their pain, as well as their hope for the future with their surviving daughter.

Marina and Kevin Krim have established the Lulu and Leo Fund on Facebook in their children's memories, raising money for children's education and enrichment programs.

The Krims are also sharing their experiences online during a cross-country trip from California to New York.

On Dec. 28, Kevin Krim wrote a poignant birthday message to his surviving daughter.

"I want to wish our daughter Nessie a huge happy birthday. She turns four today," he wrote. "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."

On Monday, Christine Michele wrote back: "My heart breaks for you and your family. I can't begin to try to understand your pain."

Marina Krim came home with her middle child on Oct. 26 to find her oldest and youngest children – Lucia, 6, and Leo, 2 – dead in a bathtub in their home at 75th Street and Columbus Avenue. Each had been stabbed multiple times with a kitchen knife.

Family nanny Yoselyn Ortega, 50, began to stab herself as Marina Krim entered the room, and slit her own throat. But she survived.

Ortega pleaded not guilty to murder charges in November. She remained in a prison hospital as of Monday, and was due back in court on Jan. 16.

Marina Krim's last Web entry on Saturday, Jan. 5, came from Santa Fe, N.M.

"We strolled through a few art galleries today and found some pieces at the Canyon Road Contemporary Art Gallery that we are sure Lulu and Leo would have loved," she wrote.

Grief therapist Dr. Robin Goodman said life for people such as the Krims will never be the same, but they can create a healthy environment for their surviving daughter.

"For families like the Krims, when you have another child, it often forces you to stay engaged in life," Goodman said.

Establishing a Facebook site may not only help the Krims, but their Facebook friends as well.

On the Krims' return to New York City, Goodman said going back to a place that is nurturing and supportive can be very helpful, weighing the negative aspects that remind them of the horrible thing that happened.

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