Canada: Mom charged with children's deaths

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DRUMMONDVILLE, Quebec, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- The mother of three children found dead in their Drummondville, Quebec, home was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, police said.

Police said Sonia Blanchette, 33, whose children were found dead Sunday, will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether she is fit to face the charges, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Wednesday.

Blanchette had been hospitalized since Sunday. The reason for her hospitalization hasn't been released but Quebec provincial police Sgt. Daniel Thibaudeau had said she was being treated for her "mental and physical state."

Investigators are still trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Laurelie, 5, Loic, 4, and Anais, 2. Their funerals are scheduled Saturday.

The children's father, Patrick Desautels, issued a statement asking for privacy for the family, CBC said.

Police said they spoke with Desautels, but didn't consider him a suspect.