The mother of two toddlers whose bodies were found in holdalls in the boot of her car has been remanded in custody charged with their murders.
Three-year-old Harry and Elise Donnison, two, were found by officers after their mother, Fiona Donnison, attended Heathfield police station in East Sussex in a distressed state on Wednesday.
Donnison, 43, of Marshwood Road, Lightwater, Surrey, appeared at Lewes Magistrates' Court accused of the double murders between January 25 and 28 after being charged by Sussex Police.
Flanked by two security guards, Donnison, wearing a long blue jumper, held her hands clasped in front of her as she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address during the 10-minute hearing.
There was no application for bail and no plea was entered during the hearing.
The case was adjourned and Donnison will next appear at Lewes Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on February 12.
About half a dozen relatives were in court, some of whom became visibly upset as Donnison entered the dock. As she was led away following the hearing, two people shouted, "We love you, Fiona" and "We love you, Fi."
Initial post-mortem examinations revealed the children died from asphyxia and had been dead for less than 24 hours when they were found in Donnison's silver Nissan car, parked near the former family home in Heathfield.
Former City worker Donnison, who was estranged from her husband, Paul, was discharged from Eastbourne District General Hospital last night after being treated for apparently self-inflicted wounds.
The court was told that Donnison would be transferred to a medium-secure psychiatric unit.
