Photo by Graham Cullen Police have launched an investigation into the deaths of a man and his four children at 1252 Danielle Drive, just off of South McCain Drive, according to the Frederick Police Department.

Police have not been able to locate the children's mother.

Police identifed the father as Pedro Rodriguez, age 28, and the mother as Daysi Marlene Benitez, 25.

The children's names are being withheld until their identities have been confirmed, police said.

The father was found hanging from the second floor banister, according to Lt. Tom Chase.

The ages of the children ranged from 1 to 9. The three girls were 1, 4 and 9, and the boy was 3.

The 4-year-old girl was in pre-kindergarten and the 9-year-old girl was in third grade.

“This is a investigation into the deaths of five people,” Chase said.

According to Chase, a Hillcrest Elementary School liaison worker went to the house today because the two school-aged children had not been to school in the last several days.

The worker did not find anyone at the house and called police. When police arrived about 3 p.m., they entered the house and discovered the five bodies, Chase said.

The bodies were taken away in two black funeral home vans about 6:45 p.m.

Frederick County Public Schools spokeswoman Marita Loose said it was unusual for the third-grader and pre-kindergarten student to miss school.

“That was not like them,” Loose said. “Their attendance had been good.”

Loose also said there will be a crisis team at the school Tuesday to counsel students and staff.