3 girls under age 10 found stabbed to death in Maryland home; relative arrested

CLINTON, Maryland -- Authorities say an arrest has been made in the slayings of three girls under the age of 10 who were found in a home in Clinton, a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C.

The victims were identified by police as Nadira Withers, 6, of Clinton; Ariana Decree, 9; and Ajayah Decree, 6. The Decree sisters, of Newark, New Jersey, were visiting relatives at the time of the incident.

Prince George's County Police Department officials say that 25-year-old Clinton resident Antonio Williams was arrested Friday night. He was identified as Nadira's brother.

Police said Nadira's mother found the dead children - all with stab punctures and lacerations to their bodies - on a bed inside the home.

"The preliminary investigation reveals Williams had sole care and custody of the children at the home overnight into Friday," police said in a news release. "He has confessed to killing the victims."

Williams has been charged with three counts of murder, authorities said. He was being held without bail.

Prince George's County Deputy Chief Sammy Patel on Friday called the slayings "one of the most difficult scenes" that the department's officers have encountered, and said the department will provide counseling services to responding officers.

A motive for the killings was unknown.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.