"defunct processes" Problem

[need2fart]

Message straight from my webhost provider HostGator:

Hello!

No, this server does not appear to be under any attack at this moment. I can't tell you why your site is generating these defunct processes. Russell killed off the defunct processes and they regenerated; perhaps you should get in contact with your script developers for support.

[root@gator985 ~]# ps afux | grep delta | grep -v grep
delta 29064 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? ZN 16:28 0:00 | \_ [php] <defunct>
delta 29659 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? ZN 16:28 0:00 | \_ [php] <defunct>
delta 30319 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? ZN 16:28 0:00 | \_ [php] <defunct>
delta 30322 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? ZN 16:28 0:00 | \_ [php] <defunct>
delta 29053 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? ZN 16:27 0:00 | \_ [php] <defunct>
delta 29071 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? ZN 16:28 0:00 | \_ [php] <defunct>
delta 30299 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? ZN 16:28 0:00 | \_ [php] <defunct>
delta 4544 0.0 0.2 46120 19648 ? RN 16:32 0:00 \_ /usr/bin/php /home/delta/public_html/search.php

How do I fix defunct processes? I don't see any problems with my hacks and plugins and the whole month this month has been fine, yet today I am having problems. I have no edited anything at all but today I'm having trouble. =(

Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks!