Mother arrested for murder of 8 children

An Australian mother was arrested for murder in the stabbing deaths of eight children, seven of whom were believed to be hers, police said Saturday.

The children were found dead inside the woman’s home, who was suffering from serious stab wounds, inside a northern Australian home Friday.

The 37-year-old woman, who is recovering in a hospital from stab wounds, was under guard and speaking with police, Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said. She has not yet been formally charged.

The woman is thought to be the mother of seven of the children, Asnicar said. The eighth is believed to be her niece.

Queensland state police were called to to the home in the Cairns suburb of Manoora Friday after receiving a report of a woman with serious injuries. When police entered the house, they found the bodies of the children, ranging in age from 18 months to 15 years.

The Guardian reports the children were all stabbed to death.