ABC News November 6, 2018

Colorado dad pleads guilty in killing of pregnant wife, 2 daughters

WATCH: Dad who killed pregnant wife, 2 daughters will not face death penalty

A Colorado man arrested in the killing of his pregnant wife and two young daughters pleaded guilty Tuesday to all charges against him as his wife's family looked on, holding each other and sobbing.

In exchange for Chris Watts' guilty plea, the death penalty will not be considered, the Weld County District Attorney's office said. The victims' family agreed to those terms, the district attorney's office added.

Wearing an orange jumpsuit, shackles, and an olive green bulletproof vest, Watts told the judge he understood the plea agreement reached with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to five counts of murder in the first degree, three counts of tampering with a deceased human body and one count of unlawful termination of pregnancy, prosecutors said.

As the judge read each charge one by one, Watts pleaded "guilty," his voice sometimes cracking.

Weld County Sheriff
Christopher Watts is accused of killing his wife and two daughters in Colorado.

In August, Watts initially told reporters his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, 34, and daughters Celeste, 3 and Bella, 4, disappeared without a trace. Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant at the time.

Town of Frederick, CO
Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 were reported missing.
(MORE: Motive a mystery in Colorado man's alleged killing of pregnant wife and 2 young daughters)

"My kids are my life," he told ABC Denver affiliate KMGH. "I mean, those smiles light up my life."

Town of Frederick, CO
Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 are missing in Frederick, Colo.
(MORE: 'He fooled us': Friends of man who allegedly killed pregnant wife, daughters speak out after shocking arrest)

Within days, Watts was arrested and the bodies of his wife and children were recovered.

A memorial outside the home of Shanann Watts in Colorado.
(MORE: Investigators find bodies believed to be 2 young daughters of father arrested for murder)

His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 19. Watts faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.