Mother "too ill" to attend murder hearing (From Wandsworth Guardian)
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Wandsworth mother "too ill" to attend Old Bailey murder hearing
12:37pm Tuesday 15th May 2012 in News
A mother charged with murdering both her two children was deemed as "too ill to attend" her Old Bailey court hearing this morning.
Former hairdresser Felicia Boots, 34, is being held at Holloway Prison's medical facility, a closed jail in Islington which specialises in women and young offenders, who advised she was too ill to appear.
At the hearing she was remanded in custody in her absence until August 10 and is set to be transferred to a psychiatric hospital under the Mental Health Act.
Lily, a 14-month old girl, and Mason, her 10-week-old brother, were found dead by Mrs Boots' husband Jeff in the family home in Killarney Road, Wandsworth, on the evening of May 9.
Judge Christopher Moss confirmed Mrs Boots will remain in custody for her own protection and stressed there were "psychiatric issues" in this case.
He said: "I confirm that this defendant be remanded in custody with the intention that she be transferred to hospital under the Mental Health Act.
"That is a matter for the Secretary of State and not for this court."
Mr Boots was not in the public gallery during this morning's the 20-minute hearing.
No bail application was made for Mrs Boots.
