Mother charged after boys' deaths

EDMONTON, Alberta - The Australian mother of two little boys found dead in the bathtub of their home in Canada has been charged with their murder.

Allyson McConnell, who is now in custody in a medical facility under 24-hour watch, faces two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of 10-month-old Jayden and his two-and-a-half-year-old brother Connor, The Canadian Press reported.

The bodies of the little boys were found on February 1 by their father, Curtis McConnell, who rushed home after police called him to tell him his wife was in hospital.

Police have said a woman tried to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge that afternoon, but haven't confirmed she was McConnell, who is an Australian citizen.

Court documents show the family was in the midst of a bitter divorce. Custody of the children was a major issue, especially since Allyson had expressed a desire to return to Australia.

In an affidavit, Curtis said "Allyson had been threatening me that she wants to move back to Australia with our children. I am fearful that she will attempt to do this without my consent or knowledge.

"I have taken our children's passports for safekeeping."

McConnell is scheduled to appear in an Alberta court in about three weeks.