Mother admits starving her 3 children

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Police in Huntsville, Alabama, said a mother charged with killing her three children admitted to starving her children untill they died.

Nathshay Yvonne Ward has been charged with killing 11-year-old Shanieka Ward, 9-year-old Latricia Ward and 8-year-old Christopher Ward, CNN reported Sunday.

"She told investigators that she deliberately starved her children to death," said Wendell Johnson of the Huntsville police. "They did appear to be malnourished."

Autopsies have been ordered to determine the cause of death.

Police found the children's bodies Friday afternoon -- they may have been dead for days -- on the floor of three separate bedrooms that had no beds.

The children had not attended school since the end of winter break and the utilities had been cut off since Jan. 12.