Son KILLS Parents — Calls 911 Himself

Yellow police line tape with Do Not Cross.

A 45-year-old New York man called 911 to confess he had murdered his elderly parents with a hammer, marking the first homicide in the quiet village of Fort Plain since 2018 and raising urgent questions about mental health failures and family breakdown in small-town America.

Story Snapshot

Robert G. Robbins Jr., 45, called 911 on February 20, 2026, admitting he killed his parents with a hammer in Fort Plain, New York
Victims Robert G. Robbins Sr., 78, and Mary A. Robbins, 76, died from blunt force trauma inside their Clinton Avenue home
Robbins Jr. complied with dispatch instructions, kneeling with hands up before police arrived and arrested him without incident
Suspect charged with two counts of second-degree murder, held without bail with next court appearance in April 2026
No motive established; mental health under review in investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies

Suspect’s Chilling 911 Confession

Robert G. Robbins Jr. contacted Montgomery County dispatch shortly before 4 p.m. on February 20, 2026, delivering a shocking admission: he had killed his parents using a hammer. Dispatchers instructed him to kneel in the driveway with his hands raised while officers responded to 38 Clinton Avenue in Fort Plain. Fort Plain Police Sergeant Thomas Scarafile arrived first on scene, finding Robbins Jr. exactly as instructed. The sergeant placed him in handcuffs without resistance, while inside the home, officers discovered the bodies of 78-year-old Robert G. Robbins Sr. and 76-year-old Mary A. Robbins.

Autopsy Confirms Brutal Method

Autopsies conducted on February 21, 2026, confirmed both victims died from blunt force trauma inflicted by a hammer. The elderly couple had been living at the residence with their son, who had moved in approximately six months earlier after relocating from Florida. Prior to that, Robbins Jr. had stayed with another relative. The family had moved to Fort Plain from California several years ago, keeping largely to themselves according to neighbors. This represents a disturbing case of family violence where the most vulnerable—elderly parents—were targeted by someone who should have protected them.

Community Shocked by Rare Violence

Fort Plain, a small village in Montgomery County in upstate New York, had not experienced a homicide since 2018, making this double murder particularly jarring for residents. Neighbors described the family as reclusive, with one characterizing the son as “off” but never anticipating violence. Police records show only one prior non-violent, non-domestic response to the home, indicating no red flags that would have predicted this tragedy. Chief Kevin Collins praised the response, stating Montgomery County dispatch did a fantastic job gathering information and managing the suspect until officers arrived on scene.

Mental Health Questions Remain Unanswered

Robbins Jr., a self-employed contractor who performed odd jobs, was arraigned in Town of Minden Court during the week of February 23-27, 2026. He faces two counts of second-degree murder and was remanded to Montgomery County Jail without bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for April. Authorities confirmed mental health is under review as part of the ongoing investigation, but officials have not provided details or established a motive for the killings. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and New York State Police are assisting Fort Plain Police in the investigation.

Breakdown of Family and Mental Health System

This case highlights failures that conservatives have long warned about: the erosion of family structures and inadequate mental health intervention before tragedy strikes. A 45-year-old man living with his elderly parents, apparently without proper mental health support or family intervention mechanisms, resulted in two innocent lives lost. The suspect’s compliance and self-reporting suggest possible mental illness, yet the system failed to identify and address the issue before violence occurred. For those who value family integrity and personal responsibility, this tragedy underscores the importance of community vigilance and accessible mental health resources without government overreach.