Mum Arrested Over Deaths Of Eight Children

The 37-year-old is the mother of seven of the children, who had all been stabbed to death. The eighth child was her niece.

The unnamed suspect is currently under guard at a hospital, where she is recovering from stab wounds to the chest.

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said she has not yet been formally charged with killing the youngsters, who were aged from 18 months to 14 years old.

Police have not said how they died, but are examining several knives in the Cairns home that may have been the murder weapon.

Mr Asnicar said the woman is lucid and talking to police.

"We're not looking for anybody else - we're comfortable that the community at large is safe," he said.

Officers were called to the suspect's home in the suburb of Manoora on Friday after reports of a woman suffering from stab wounds.

The bodies were discovered during a search of the house.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the deaths as "heartbreaking". 

He added: "All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened.

"This is an unspeakable crime. These are trying days for our country."
SKY News