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ORANGEBURG (WACH) -- A boat ramp leading into the Edisto River gave a desperate mother an explanation.

“What I feel is that she just wanted to get rid of the children as sad as that may be,” said Sheriff Larry Williams of Orangeburg County.

Authorities began to doubt Shaquan Duley's story after they pulled her submerged car out of the water and found her two toddlers strapped inside.

“I think that the opportunity presented itself,” said Williams. 

Williams announced Tuesday that following questioning, Duley confessed to suffocating two-year-old Devean Duley and 18-month-old Ja'van Duley before placing their bodies in her car.

Williams speculates that Duley, who was unemployed, may have killed her children to "be free."

“This wasn't a hardened criminal,” says Williams, “this was a young lady that was in trouble.”

According to Williams, the killings followed a dispute between Duley and her mother, who were at odds with each other over how Duley was raising her children.

Duley checked into the Trumps Inn early Monday morning, and that is where Williams says Duley suffocated her children.

The Orangeburg County Coroner adds she found defensive wounds on the two-year-old boy.

The owner of Trumps Inn, where Duley allegedly committed murder, was shocked by the news.

“I feel sad for those kids,” said Renuka Patel.

Duley also has a five-year-old daughter who is currently living with Duley's mother.

Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 has offered counseling services to the student.

“Unfortunate incidents don't affect one or two people,” said district spokesman Greg Carson.  “They affect our entire community, and our hopes are is that the community will come together.”

Duley's arraignment is set for Wednesday.  She is charged with two counts of murder.