4 children held hostage were killed while they slept, police say

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Orlando police say a preliminary investigation has revealed the children were found deceased lying in their respective beds, wearing the same bedtime clothes their mother reported they were dressed in when she put them to bed.

Based on the condition of the victims’ bodies at the time of discovery, coupled with a thorough review of the investigation so far regarding this case, OPD Homicide Detectives believe the children were killed while they slept, either shortly before or shortly after the suspect's initial contact with OPD Officers, in which Officer Kevin Valencia was shot. He remains in critical condition.

The mother of four children killed during a standoff between a Florida felon and police says she's "heartbroken" and feels "completely alone."

In a statement to the Orlando Sentinel through a family spokesman, 31-year-old Ciara Lopez said she wants her children, ranging in age from 1 to 11, to be remembered as loving and "full of life."

Police said Lopez left her apartment to get help after her boyfriend, 35-year-old Gary Wayne Lindsey Jr., battered her late Sunday.

Family spokesman Walter Benenati said money is being pledged to help cover funeral expenses.