Twin sisters face murder charges in housefire deaths of 3 toddlers

(CBS/WKRG) ATMORE, Ala. - Twin sisters Akevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner face charges of reckless murder in the deaths of their three children in a house fire in Alabama last week.

The 18-year-old mothers were taken into custody Monday and have been charged with three counts each in the deaths of Aniyia Abner, Takia Abner and Michael Coleman, CBS affiliate WKRG reports.

According to Reuters, Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy said the sisters left the three children home alone on Wednesday night,. The fire started in an unattended stove, according to a preliminary report.

Authorities say when fire personnel arrived just before 8 p.m. Wednesday, they found the home engulfed in flames and the three children unconscious, Reuters reports. The children were taken to a hospital where they reportedly died from smoke inhalation.

According to WKRG, Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy says the mothers showed "an extreme indifference to these children's lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2nd."

The two were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center.