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FAMILY BLOODBATH

‘Killer’ dad Chris Watts is on ‘suicide watch’ in jail after being charged with ‘murdering his pregnant wife and two kids’

The severity the situation is 'beginning to sink in' with accused killer Chris Watts, it's claimed

THE man accused of murdering his pregnant wife and two young daughters is under suicide watch in jail, it's claimed.

Chris Watts, 33, who allegedly killed his wife Shanann, 34, and daughters Celeste, three, and Bella, four, in Colorado last month, is also reportedly searched several times a day to ensure he doesn't harm himself.

 Christopher Watts is escorted into the courtroom at the Weld County Courthouse last month
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Christopher Watts is escorted into the courtroom at the Weld County Courthouse last monthCredit: AP:Associated Press

Watts was charged with first degree murder of his wife and daughters after their bodies were found at an oil field where he worked on August 16 in Colorado.

According to , Watts is under Close Watch Protocol - a technical term for suicide watch - which means he spends 23 hours in a cell in protective custody.

Guards must check on Watts every ten to 15 minutes, it's reported, to ensure his wellbeing and make eye contact with him.

Watts is also physically searched several times a day as well as a full cell inspection to ensure he "is not hiding any contraband that would allow him to harm himself".

 Mum Shanann and daughters Bella and Celeste were found dead in Colorado last month
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Mum Shanann and daughters Bella and Celeste were found dead in Colorado last month
 Watts, pictured above with slain Shanann and daughters Celeste and Bella, is checked on every ten minutes, it's claimed
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Watts, pictured above with slain Shanann and daughters Celeste and Bella, is checked on every ten minutes, it's claimed

For one hour per day, Watts is allowed to leave his cell and taken to a small room where he is allowed to shower and make phone calls - but it is not occupied by any other prisoners at the same time, and is not allowed commissary privileges, the report said.

A source told People that the the severity of Watts' situation is "beginning to sink in".

Watts, from Oklahoma, is accused of throttling his daughters Bella, four, and three-year-old Celeste before hiding their bodies in an oil tank and burying their mum Shanann in a shallow grave nearby.

The two girls and their mum disappeared from their family home in Frederick, Colorado on August 13 and Chris went on local television pleading for them to come home.

Dad, Chris Watts, begs missing family to come home hours before 'admitting killing them'
 It's claimed the severity of the situation is 'beginning to sink in' with Watts, pictured above with slain wife Shanann
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It's claimed the severity of the situation is 'beginning to sink in' with Watts, pictured above with slain wife Shanann
 Shanann was pregnant with the couple's third child at the time of her death
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Shanann was pregnant with the couple's third child at the time of her death

He was arrested the following day and charged with first degree murder and other felony counts in the slayings.

He now faces three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.

In court, it emerged Watts initially told police it was his wife who murdered the children.

According to an arrest affidavit, he told cops he reacted to seeing his wife with her hands around Celeste's throat and "observed Bella 'sprawled' out on her bed and blue and Shanann actively strangling Celeste."

 Watts now faces three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body over the deaths of his wife and daughters
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Watts now faces three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body over the deaths of his wife and daughters
Murder suspect Chris Watts' wife posted loving video saying 'he's best thing that ever happened to me'

"Chris said he went into a rage and ultimately strangled Shanann to death.

"Chris said he loaded all three bodies onto the back seat of his work truck and took them to an oil work site,' added the affidavit.

Watts didn't enter a plea to three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body, but told the judge he understood the charges.

Heartbreaking moment Frank Rzucek, dad of murdered pregnant mum Shanann Watts breaks down as he faces her ‘killer’ husband Christopher Watts in court

 


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