Though it was disguised in a way. Its an animation similar to 'saving' them and the act of killing isnt't right in your face, they even call it harvesting. Playing the game you would know that you are killing a brainwashed/possessed little girl, but from an outside perspective, you see a little beast with red glowing eyes and someones hand on their head....that looks alot better in demos and trailers then a child being mowed down by a sword or blasted with fire.

While they have been featured in past games, normally they receive a bad reception or are cleverly hidden as to not be in your face out right killing of children. Skyrim would be too in your face and the majority of children (though this is of debate) are innocent and not involved much with the core gameplay or serious quests (vampire girl and little assassin caller aside). Keeping the murder of children out of the equation was a smart marketing move for them considering it could of gotten them an advlt rating and lowered their demographic target even further.

i play a neutral/good guy most of the time, however i do take over the brotherhood, you make a lot of cash on the questline and get a lot of cool stuff, plus most of em are gone after you take it over and you get some followers that are very useful for stealth characters.