2 babies killed in Nappy Valley horror

A mother was under arrest today after allegedly killing her 10-week-old son and 14-month-old daughter before trying to slit her own wrists. The children’s father, Jeffrey Boots, believed to be an investment banker, desperately tried to revive the babies when he arrived home from work last night. Paramedics went to the £1.2 million home in Wandsworth but the babies were pronounced dead at the scene. Sources said they appeared to have been smothered. Their mother Felicia Boots is said to have suffered superficial cuts to her wrists. She was taken to hospital but later discharged into police custody and arrested for murder. Police are investigating the possibility that Mrs Boots, who is in her mid-thirties, was suffering from post-natal depression. Scotland Yard said no one else is being sought in connection with the deaths. The tragedy unfolded when Mr Boots got home to Killarney Road at about 7.25pm. Neighbours described their horror at the double killing. One said: “God, it’s so awful. It is shocking news. With all the ambulances and police outside I knew something bad had happened. Three houses were cordoned off.” Mr Boots is believed to be a Canadian investment banker who works for a firm in the City. The couple bought the five-bedroom house a month ago. Their next-door neighbour said: “It’s so sudden. They had only just moved in about a week ago. I never had a chance to meet them face to face. Nobody knew them. It is so sad.” Forensic science officers are at the scene and detectives are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area. A post-mortem examination is due to take place to establish the cause of death. Sources said the children did not have any visible injuries. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Inquiries are under way after the death of two children in Wandsworth. The ambulance service also attended but a 10-week-old boy and a one-year old girl were pronounced dead at the scene. “A woman in her mid-thirties was arrested in connection with the incident. She is currently in custody at a south London police station. Detectives from the Child Abuse Investigation Command are leading the investigation.” One neighbour, who asked not be named, said the mother was “very nice”. She added: “I introduced myself to Felicia a couple of times. She was very nice. They only moved in recently. It is just terribly, terribly tragic.” Another said she was looking after the couple’s pet dog and was “shocked” by what had happened, adding: “It is such a tragedy.” The house is in an area nicknamed Nappy Valley because it is close to good primary schools and young professionals like to move there to raise children. The property, spread over three floors, has four bathrooms and a 45ft back garden and is situated close to Wandsworth Common. Neighbours saw the dark-haired mother being put into a police car by an officer who had an arm around her at about 10.30pm last night. The man said police and forensics officers were working inside the house until the early hours.