HANAHAN, S.C. - Two small children who had been left in a car while their mother was at work were later found dead, their bodies in trash bags under an apartment sink, authorities said Tuesday.

Autopsies had been done on 1-year-old Triniti Campbell and 4-year-old Shawn Campbell Jr. but their cause of death was not immediately released, the Berkeley County coroner's office said.

The children's mother, Sametta Heyward, 27, had taken them to work in downtown Charleston and left them in her car, George Oliver said.

Heyward was charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse Tuesday evening, according to Hanahan police.

A distraught Heyward was taken to a hospital Monday night after authorities discovered her children. She arrived at the police station a day later in handcuffs and hospital scrubs.

Investigators found a note Heyward left at her apartment, explaining that she had arranged for a baby sitter, but when plans fell through she took the children with her in the car, Oliver said.

"She pretty much laid out the scenario," Oliver said. "Apparently that's her justification for taking the children with her and for leaving them in the car."

Oliver said officials have not determined where the children died.

Officers investigating a report of a disturbance at Heyward's apartment Monday night and found her crying and yelling, "'Oh, my babies,"' according to an incident report.

A man holding Heyward told officers "the kids were in trash bags and under the cabinet." The police report said Heyward tried to bite and kick the officers, had to be restrained, and was taken to a hospital because medics thought she could be having seizures.

"She stated she wanted to die and asked officers to kill her," the report said.

Hanahan Police Chief Don Wilcox said investigators have not been able to talk to the woman because she was advised by an attorney not to say anything.

"We're trying to run down the timeline, as well as get any physical evidence, so we can determine exactly what took place," Wilcox said.

Charleston attorney Andrew Savage confirmed he was representing Heyward and he expected charges against her. He said he was contacted by Heyward's family and met her in the hospital shortly before she was discharged.

"She actually couldn't really talk. She knew we were there, but she was grieving," Savage said. "It was really to tell her we were there, supportive of her, and we were going to help her."

Savage said he doesn't plan to ask for a bond hearing until he learns more about the case, especially about Heyward's mental health.

Neighbor Brandon Coving said he saw Heyward and the children on Sunday. "They were running around, and she had a big smile on her face, and it seemed like a regular day," he said.

Coving lived about eight doors down from Heyward on the second floor of The Willows, a two-story apartment complex with cranberry red doors. There are 44 units at the complex, which resembles a motel.

Apartment manager Ricky Dyson said the 252 square-foot apartment had a queen bed, a small bathroom and an efficiency kitchen.

He said Heyward moved there in May and said she wasn't going to stay long and was looking for another place.

"She was just a regular working girl out there making a living," Dyson said.

Yellow police tape was put up along the door to Heyward's apartment, but there were no officers around at midday Tuesday. A small white teddy bear had been placed outside the apartment.

Heyward's cousin visited the apartment complex with other relatives Tuesday afternoon and said the family was praying for her.

"We don't know what happened," Jerome Heyward said. "The police department hasn't given us any information. ... She was a good person who worked all her life."

Hanahan is about 15 miles north of Charleston.

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