- Karilyn Bales says her husband "loves children" and would not massacre them
- She speaks in an interview with NBC News in the United States
- Robert Bales is charged with 17 counts of murder over killings in Afghanistan
(CNN) -- The U.S. Army soldier charged with killing 17 Afghan civilians "would not do that," his wife said.
"It's unbelievable to me," Karilyn Bales said of the charge that her husband, Robert, killed nine children, among the 17 victims.
"I have no idea what happened, but he would not.... he loves children, and he would not do that," Karilyn Bales said in an interview with NBC News in the United States. An excerpt of the interview aired Sunday, with the full interview due to run Monday.
Charges filed in Afghan massacre 
Afghan shooting suspect is in 'shock' Staff Sgt. Robert Bales has been charged with 17 counts of murder, and could face the death penalty.
Military investigators say Bales left his base in rural Afghanistan twice on March 11 and went from house to house killing villagers. He is also charged with wounding six others.
The United States government paid out $860,000 to the families of victims over the weekend, Afghan officials said -- $50,000 for each of the dead, and $10,000 for each of the wounded.
U.S. officials confirmed that payment had been made on Saturday, but would not confirm the amount.
