Friends say sisters were sweet, energetic - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

RIVER FALLS, Wisconsin (WXOW) -- Neighbors are remembering the three young sisters found dead in a River Falls house as "normal, happy girls."

Heather Johnson lives a few doors down from the house where the girls' bodies were found Tuesday. Johnson says her son would ride bikes, skateboard and play at a neighborhood park with the girls, who she says were "cute, sweet little girls."

Authorities in River Falls on Wednesday identified the victims as 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophie and 5-year-old Cecilia Schaffhausen.

Their father, 34-year-old Aaron Schaffhausen, is being held on possible charges of first-degree intentional homicide.

Police said they could smell gas when they went to check on the girls at the direction of their mother. But, they provided no details on how the children died. Their parents are divorced.