Woman, 37, charged with murder of eight children in Cairns suburb

Woman, 37, charged with murder of eight children in Cairns suburb
Emergency services workers cover off the perimeter fence of a house where eight children have been found dead in a Cairns suburb in far north Queensland, Australia, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. Credit: Graeme Bint

A 37-year-old woman has been charged with murder for allegedly stabbing and killing eight children in a house in the Cairns suburb of Manoora on Friday, local time.

The woman, who was not identified by police in a statement released Sunday afternoon, was charged with eight counts of murder.

D/Insp Asnicar: Post mortoms are still being conducted, around 100 statements have been taken. #Manoora— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) December 20, 2014

She is the mother of seven of the eight children, who range in age from 18 months and 15 years old. She is an aunt to one of the children. She was arrested Saturday.

Although someone has been charged, the investigation continues. Police expect to be at the house for some time. #Manoora— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) December 21, 2014

Police found the dead children after responding to a call regarding a woman with serious injuries. Autopsies should be completed by Sunday afternoon, Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Ansicar said.

The hospitalized woman appeared before a magistrate during a bedside hearing Sunday. She is still in police custody.

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