Mom who drowned 3 kids wants estate money

MINEOLA, N.Y., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A New York state woman who admitted drowning her three children in a bathtub has asked a judge for a portion of her dead children's $350,000 estate.

Leatrice Brewer, 33, of Mineola, N.Y., drowned her three children -- Jewell Ward, 6; Michael Demesyeux, 5; and Innocent Demesyeux Jr., 18 months -- in a bathtub in 2008. She then attempted suicide twice, Newsday (Melville, N.Y.) reported Thursday.

After her second suicide attempt, Brewer called the police and admitted what she had done.

Brewer pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in 2009 and has since been held a secure facility in upstate New York.

Innocent Demesyeux, father of Michael and Innocent, settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Nassau County in 2001 for $250,000. A suit filed on behalf of the estate of Jewell was settled in 2012 for $100,000.

Both lawsuits alleged that county social service caseworkers could have done more to save the children.

A hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 6 on Brewer's request that she be given part of the settlement.