Thanksgiving week in Bethlehem started with a homicide. Shortly before 2 a.m. Nov. 24, 911 dispatchers received a call from Ebony Anniqua Jones, 31, of the 1200 block of Woodbine Street. She allegedly said she had just thrown a knife at a male visitor. That man, Ismael Bonets, 37, was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

The deceased and Jones were the parents of a 6-year-old girl. Jones has two other children, and all three live with her. Police said Bonets had traveled from New York City for a parent-teacher conference.

Detective Moses Miller said there was no record of prior incidents at the Jones home, and that her three children (ages 6, 9 and 11) were being looked after by friends.

Miller said Jones admitted to the stabbing.

"It is a clue to a holiday," remarked Chief Mark DiLuzio, "We don't want to see this kind of thing." Northampton County District Attorney John Morganell called the case a real tragedy. "The caretaker of these three children is now in custody." He authorized the filing of a general charge of homicide, which could range from first degree murder to involuntary manslaughter.

Morganelli and Bethlehem police urge people who feel the pressure of the holidays to seek help. "There are a lot of resources in the Lehigh Valley," Morganelli said.

The domestic violence hotline number is 1-800-799-7233, and the website is www.thehotline.org/.