SEATTLE (AP) — The wife of the soldier accused of killing 16 civilians in Afghanistan in March says she has not told their children — a 5-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy — why their father isn't coming home.

Kari Bales told CBS "This Morning" (http://is.gd/eWkQ1F ) on Monday that the 5-year-old knows something is up. Kari Bales says she tells them he is at "special work," and they think he'll be home soon. She says she doesn't know what she'll tell them when he doesn't come home.

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales is based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, where his family lives. He could face the death penalty if convicted. He's charged with 16 counts of premeditated murder and is being held at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.