A mother of two young Alberta boys who were found dead in a bathtub is now charged with their murder.
The bodies of 10-month-old Jayden McConnell and his brother, two-year-old Connor, were found by their father Curtis, on Feb. 1, 2010 in their family home in Millet, Alta.
Allyson McConnell, 31, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder. She is scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court on March 16, 2010.
RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes told reporters that Allyson McConnell is under 24-hour supervision in an Edmonton-area hospital, until she is medically able to be transferred to a correctional facility.
He said he would not reveal further information on her condition.
"Ms. McConnell has the right to medical privacy and I can't speak to her specifics without her express consent," Oakes said.
He said he would not provide further details surrounding evidence or the investigation so as not to jeopardize the case before it gets to trial.
"I don't want to make any statements that potentially could have a negative impact on the subsequent process that will take this through the courts," he said.
Police have not released the children's causes of death.
Oakes did reveal that police do not anticipate any additional charges in the case, but as with any investigation, they are always open to new information.
Bitter custody battle
The boys were at the centre of a bitter custody dispute, in which their mother wanted to move them back to her native Australia.
In an affidavit, Curtis McConnell said his wife, Allyson Louise McConnell, "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."
A statement filed by Allyson's defence said she had little family in Alberta but "a broad network of support in Australia" and would "be entitled to significant government financial support should she return to Australia."
In December, a judge ruled the parents would have joint custody in Canada. The boys were to live with Allyson while the dispute was before the courts.
Police said a woman tried to commit suicide the afternoon of the murders by jumping off a bridge, but have not confirmed that it was McConnell.
A car that police said has ties to the McConnell home was found in the parking lot of a toy store near the bridge.
None of the allegations against McConnell have been proven in court.
