Today Show interviews Karilyn Bales, wife of Staff Sgt. Robert Bales accused in Afghanistan massacre

Karilyn Bales told Matt Lauer of the Today Show that she was at the grocery store the morning she heard news that more than a dozen Afghan civilians were killed by a U.S. Army soldier. When she saw the soldier's age, she said she prayed that it wasn't her husband that was involved.

She told Lauer in the exclusive interview that she soon received a call from U.S. Army officials.

"They held my hand and just said that…they thought that he had left the base and perhaps killed the Afghan civilian," she said. "That was the only sentence and I just started crying. I just don't think he was involved."

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Lauer asked Karilyn if she believed her husband, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, was caught in a situation of mistaken identity.

"I don't know enough information," she said. "This is not him."

Karilyn said this news is devastating to hear and that Robert is her "best friend." She told Lauer that the idea that he planned these attacks are very unbelievable to her.

She said he was an involved dad and loves children.

"He's like a big kid himself," Karilyn told Lauer. "I have no idea what happened. But he loves children and he would not do that… I can't imagine losing my children, so my heart goes out."

Robert faces the death penalty if convicted of any of these crimes.

Karilyn said she is confident that Robert was mentally capable for his most recent deployment and that he didn't show signs of PTSD, have nightmares or showed erratic behavior shifts.

She told Lauer she has not asked him if he is guilty in any of their phone conversations.

"He seemed a bit confused as to where he was or why he was there," she said. "I don't think I'll have to ask him. I think he'll tell me."