FERGUSON, Missouri – In the blink of an eye, four children and their mother have disappeared and everyone wants to know why.
On Wednesday, the St. Louis County Police Department announced that a Ferguson mother set fire to her home Monday morning in an attempt to end her and her children's lives.
Police sources said they found an envelope that appeared to have been left behind by the mother of four. Investigators have not said what was in the envelope.
Missouri court records show that Bernadine Pruessner, known as Birdie to her friends, was in an ongoing custody battle with an ex-husband.
Nathan Cohen was Birdie's lawyer.
“I've been doing this for 36 years and this is probably one of the ugliest custody scenarios,” Cohen said.
Court records show Birdie wanted to move into a family member's home in Creve Coeur. Cohen said it would allow her to live closer to the twins' school and their father.
“He actually objected to her moving closer, and that has never happened to me in my entire career when another parent moved closer. There was a written objection to the court,” Cohen said.
Court records show the father expressed concerns about the family member Birdie wanted to live with.
“It is not in the best interests of the children and would be detrimental to their development, well-being and safety,” court papers say.
The most recent trial began in 2023 and was ongoing.
Calls and emails to the father's attorney were not returned at the time of publishing this story.
Firefighters were called to the Ferguson home in the 500 block of North Clay around 4:30 a.m. Monday.
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Just before 10 a.m. Sunday, a post was posted on Birdie's Facebook.
“Make today one of those who live every day as if it were your last days! Breakfast, reptile show, football game and living room camp are on the program and everything else that brings us joy. Have a beautiful Sunday. Thank God the sun is shining.”
Then, five hours before everyone would die, a post focused on her three daughters and a son.
“All my children sleep peacefully in my bed. Curled up. I know they are loved so much that I would do absolutely anything for them. This is my favorite moment.”
Despite some social media posts, Cohen said Birdie is happy.
“She didn’t let other people control her happiness,” Cohen said.
Erin Eberhard, CEO of Kids in the Middle, said children are often stuck in the middle of court battles.
“Unfortunately, parents are always so attracted to children,” said Eberhard.
Kids in the Middle sees about 2,000 people each year.
Eberhard agreed to speak to FOX Files but has no specific knowledge of Birdie's court battle. She said custody battles in general can be heated.
“Children are often in the middle,” said Eberhard.
Cohen said Birdie is a professor and is working on her doctoral dissertation. in early childhood education. He said no one could imagine that she would be accused of killing her own children.
“I don’t think in a million years Birdie would be able to do that and everyone who knew her would say the same thing,” Cohen said.
Cohen said Birdie is also facing another court battle with a second ex-husband.
Eberhard said there are about 5,000 divorces each year in St. Louis County.
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