Funeral held for 3 little girls killed in Torrance

TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- Funeral services were held Monday for three little girls stabbed to death, allegedly by their mother.

It was a difficult day for family, friends and the Torrance community who knew the young sisters: 3-year-old Sophia, 2-year-old Yasmine and 2-month-old Xenia. Police say all of them were killed at the hands of their mother on May 20.

"It's just a sad time. It's a tragedy. You never think this is going to happen. We know that they're up in heaven," said family spokesperson Rose Deleon.

The service at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church drew hundreds of people, who were there to mourn the tragic loss of such young lives and to lend support to their grieving father, Rudy Coronado.

"We're going to need your support. We have to let husbands know how to read these signs," said Coronado.

Coronado remains supportive of his wife, Carol Coronado, who pleaded not guilty when she appeared in court last week to face three counts of murder, plus a charge for the attempted murder of her mother, who found the young girls dead. She is due back in court July 3.

Through his attorney, Rudy Coronado says he hopes the case will raise awareness of postpartum depression. But on Monday, the focus was on his little girls and the community rallying around the family in their time of need.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody," he said.