Father suspected in family’s slaying

MEDFORD, Ore. – Police believe a 51-year-old man stabbed his wife and their four young children and set fire to their house Monday, killing all five family members. The man was hospitalized as authorities tried to piece together the frantic scene.

Rescuers quickly realized it wasn’t just smoke inhalation they were dealing as they tried to revive the 30-year-old mother and the children – ages 2, 5, 6 and 7.

The father was being detained at the hospital. Police believe he killed his family, but did not immediately charge him.

“That is the suspicion right now – the fellow we have up at the hospital under guard is responsible,” said Police Chief Tim George.

He said investigators were getting a warrant before gathering evidence inside the house.

George said the five dead had suffered stab wounds and smoke inhalation.

The father was identified as Jordan Criado, 51, and his wife as Tabasha Paige-Criado, 30.

Neighbors said they thought Criado was a single dad, devoted to his children, and worked as a “shade-tree mechanic,” fixing cars out of his plain, one-story home. Criado had moved to Medford, a city of about 75,000 in southern Oregon’s timber country, from California about a year ago.

His wife joined him about two weeks ago, and neighbors said they could be heard arguing loudly late at night.