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Breaking News

Five Children Found Dead in Houston

Aired June 20, 2001 - 13:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: And let's see if we can get a little more information for you on this sad story out of Houston, Texas, where five children have been found dead today in their home.

Joining us on the phone right now is a public information officer with the Houston Police Department, Robert Hurst.

Mr. Hurst, can you tell us, this woman in custody, is she the mother?

ROBERT HURST, HOUSTON POLICE SPOKESMAN: Yes.

KELLEY: And what did she say to the police officer when they arrived?

HURST: The only information that we have at this time is that, shortly before 10:00, the woman in question called the Houston Police Department, stated that she needed police at the residence. When the officers responded, that is when she opened the door and allegedly told the officers that she had killed her children.

The officers went into the residence. They found four boys and one girl deceased within the house.

KELLEY: The children ranged, we are told, from 6 months to 7 years. Is that accurate?

HURST: That is correct.

KELLEY: And how did she seem to the officers? What's their report that you've heard back when they went to the house?

HURST: I haven't had any information passed on as to her state of mind.

KELLEY: What happens to her now? Where is she?

HURST: She is currently in custody. And she is en route to the Houston Police Department headquarters, Homicide Division, for questioning.

KELLEY: Is there a father here in the picture at all? Have you been able to figure that out yet? I know that it's early.

HURST: The father is at the residence at this time. It appears that he was not at the home at the time that the children were killed.

KELLEY: Have you been able to talk to him yet?

HURST: I have not. The investigators are at the location. It is still an ongoing investigation.

KELLEY: So they are still talking to him right now?

HURST: Ma'am, again, I am not at the location. I am not aware -- it's a little difficult for me to say what's going on at the scene since I am here at another location.

KELLEY: And has the mother said anything else that you are able to tell us?

HURST: The only information that I have had passed onto me at this time is that, when she opened the doors to the officers, she allegedly stated to the officers that she had killed her children.

KELLEY: All right, Robert Hurst, who is the public information officer with the Houston Police Department, thank you for the information.

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