CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich -- Two children, who have been left without parents after police said their father fatally stabbed their mother, are getting a boost from the community to make sure they can still have a Christmas.

Leonart Nazarko, 41, pleaded guilty last week to first-degree murder for the death of his wife, Andoneta.

Chesterfield Township Police Detective Sgt. Deron Meyers said Nazarko is accused of stabbing his wife during an early-morning argument Dec. 5 that turned violent at their house in the 50000 block of Dove Lane.

“It was a domestic that went to the extreme,” Meyers said.

Police said they received 911 calls from the couple’s two son, ages 11 and 16, who were home at the time.

Emergency crews said Andoneta Nazarko had been stabbed in the back several times. She later died at a hospital.

The children were placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Chesterfield Township Supervisor Michael Lovelock is organizing donations for the children. His office will be collecting funds and Christmas toys.

“These boys will never know what it means to be loved, cared for,” Lovelock said. “They can’t go to their mother and say, ‘Can I have some homemade cookies?’ or, ‘Dad, can you take me to the ball game?’”

Lovelock said he wants the boys to know their community, and the surrounding ones, do care about them.

Donations can be sent to:
Chesterfield Township
Attn: Supervisor Michael Lovelock
47275 Sugarbush Road
Chesterfield, MI, 48047
586-949-0400

The 16-year-old has asked for an iPod Touch and laptop. The 11-year-old has asked for an MPS player, skateboard, Nintendo DS games and a Rip Stick.

Neighbors said the couple is from Albania and moved into the area just a few months ago.

Nazarko is being held in the Macomb County Jail on a $1 million bond.