FRANKLIN, Ind. -- A neighborhood is in shock after a man arrived home on Monday afternoon to find his child and wife had been stabbed to death.

The victims, Chynna Dickus, 26, and her stepson, Blake Dickus, 10, were found at about 5:15 p.m. at their home in the 1100 block of Aberdeen Drive, in the Branigin subdivision just off U.S. 31 and Branigin Road.

Stephen Dickus, 33, made the grisly discovery and called authorities after he returned home, 6News' Ben Morriston reported. Neighbors and police said he was distraught over what had happened.

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Police Follow Leads After Woman, Child Killed At Home
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"He was out front. Basically, the cops were helping him just stay standing," said neighbor Amber Ross. "I just can't imagine what it would be like to come home and find my child."

Investigators said the home was torn up, and that they also found a 2-by-4 board that had blood on one end.

Franklin Police Chief John Borges said Tuesday that a burglary was reported Monday about two blocks away from the home where the woman and child were killed. Investigators aren't sure if the break-in and slayings are connected.

"It's possible, but anything's possible," Borges said. "But we have no physical evidence or testimonial evidence that leads us to believe these two cases were connected. We are interested in that, and we are using that as one of the leads that we are investigating."

Family members grieved Tuesday.

"It's really horrible," said Carole Whittemore, Blake's grandmother as she cried. "I can't believe anyone wanted to do such a thing to him."

Police said they don't have any suspects. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. Investigators asked anyone with information to call Franklin police at 317-736-5111.

Neighbors In New Subdivision Shocked By Crime

The slayings happened in a new subdivision with neighbors that barely new each other if at all. Residents told 6News' Julie Pursley that they decided to move to the neighborhood because they felt it was a safe place.

"I came home at 9:30 last night to news vans and police cars. I was just horrified," said resident Pam Osborn. "At the time, I didn't even know that a child was murdered."

Osborn has lived in the subdivision for just three days. Others who moved into the subdivision haven't lived there for much longer.

"We went to church with them (the Dickus family) a week ago Sunday," said neighbor Kenny Vanderbur. "It's just upsetting."

Vanderbur said his son had made a new friend in Blake Dickus, and that it is hard to explain what happened to the boy.

Residents said that something good might come from the horror of what happened. Neighbors said they plan to bond and get to know each other better as they cope with what happened so close to home.