“All of the family has been advised (of the charges). This is very raw and it is a very emotive time for everybody. The family is deeply upset but the community is pulling together," AFP quotes Cairns detective inspector Bruno Asnicar as telling the reporters.
Northern Region detectives have charged a woman in relation to the deaths of eight children in a house in Manoora… http://t.co/Gw5a4bZULj
— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) 21 декабря 2014
On Friday morning, Queensland police were called to a suburban home in Cairns. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of eight children, aged between 18 months and 15 years, and a wounded woman. The woman, Warria, was confirmed to be the mother of seven of eight children; the eighth child was her niece.
Although someone has been charged, the investigation continues. Police expect to be at the house for some time. #Manoora
— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) 21 декабря 2014
Later, Warria appeared before a magistrate at a bedside hearing at a hospital, where she remains under guard while receiving treatment for her injuries.
Police said the woman, who is the mother of the seven young children and the aunt of the teenage girl, who would have turned 14 this Sunday, has sustained injuries that are not life-threatening.
The cause of death of the children has not been revealed but officers say they were looking into various scenarios, including suffocation.
“We are considering that (suffocation) and that’s why it’s taking a bit of time," AFP quotes Asnicar as saying earlier on Sunday.
Police previously said that knives were found at the house where the bodies were discovered.
Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar says the autopsies of the children who died should be completed by this afternoon. #Manoora
— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) 21 декабря 2014
Autopsies on the children were continuing and will be completed late Sunday at the earliest, according to the police.
Police described it as the most tragic episode in their career.
