Mother accused of killing children with ax

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The Associated Press

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CAINHOY — A 6-year-old boy and 18-month old girl died Saturday after their mother struck them in the head with an ax, authorities said.
Perstephanie Simmons, 30, has been charged with two counts of murder. Deputies questioned her, but still don’t know what prompted the killings, said Berkeley County Sheriff’s Capt. Ricky Driggers.

The children were found lying in tall grass near an abandoned home. The boy was naked and the girl was clad only in a diaper, police said.

Both likely were killed in Simmons’ mobile home, then taken outside, Coroner Wade Arnette said. Police found an ax inside the house.

Simmons has a second daughter who has been taken into protective custody, authorities said. Her age was not available

Relatives said Simmons, who lives at the end of a winding dirt road, kept mostly to herself.