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Mom Officially Charged In Deaths Of Children

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - A Castle Rock mother was formally charged on Friday in the deaths of her two children.

Kelli Murphy
Kelli Murphy (credit: Douglas County Sheriff)

Kelli Murphy, 41, now faces two different sets of charges -- for first degree murder and for child abuse resulting in death. The charges cover the various scenarios for how the children may have died. The Associated Press reported that investigators have two theories about the cause of death.

Police found the bodies of Liam Murphy, 9, and Madigan Murphy, 6, in their beds at their home on Monday.

Authorities said Murphy was the one who called 911 and said she was going to commit suicide and that her children were in heaven. She was taken to the hospital after police showed up and was seen in a court appearance on Tuesday with bandages on her wrists.

Their funerals or Liam and Madigan were set to take place on Friday.

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So far it's not clear why Murphy may have killed the children. Murphy had been going through divorce and bankruptcy proceedings.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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