ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- Funeral arrangements have been set for the two toddlers authorities say were suffocated by their mother, then driven into a South Carolina river.
Officials with Simmons Funeral Home in Orangeburg say services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul Baptist Church for 2-year-old Devean C. Duley and 18-month-old Ja'van T. Duley.
The boys' mother was charged with murder Tuesday. Authorities say 29-year-old Shaquan Duley killed her young sons, then strapped their bodies into their car seats before rolling the vehicle into a river in a cover-up attempt.
Duley's sister says she thinks the sheriff has been compassionate in his handling of the case.
Adriane Duley told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she doesn't think Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams is "dragging my sister through the mud."
Adriane Duley said her family has been overwhelmed by the media attention and cannot do day-to-day tasks much less plan two funerals and grieve their loss.
An attorney for Shaquan Duley says she deserves the presumption of innocence.
Attorney Carl B. Grant says he met with Shaquan Duley yesterday but hasn't had the chance to review the evidence against her. Grant says it's important for the public to remember they don't know the whole story, despite the comments from authorities.
Sheriff Williams says Duley was broke, unemployed and upset with her mother when she suffocated the 2-year-old boy and 18-month-old boy before putting them into the river. The bodies were recovered Monday.
Duley is expected to be arraigned on two murder charges this afternoon before an Orangeburg County judge.
WACH Fox and MidlandsConnect.com will be at today's hearing and will continue to bring you the latest information as it develops.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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