Toddler deaths referred to IPCC

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Police investigating the death of two children found in the boot of a car have referred part of their inquiry to the police watchdog.

The bodies of Harry, three, and his sister Elise Donnison, two, were found in East Sussex on 27 January. Their mother has been charged with murder.

Prior to their deaths, police had "limited contact" with the family.

Now officers have referred that aspect of the investigation to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The children's bodies were found by police in holdalls in the boot of a car close to the former family home in Heathfield.

Their mother, Fiona Donnison, 43, of Lightwater, Surrey, was charged with murder on 30 January. She was remanded to Lewes Crown Court until 12 February.

'Full review'

It was claimed the children's father, Paul Donnison, who was estranged from his wife, had expressed concern to police about their safety.

Sussex Police did not give details of their dealings with the family, but revealed officers had "limited contact".

In a statement, they said they had commenced a "full review" into that contact prior to 27 January.

"At present, no issues of concern have been identified, but to emphasise the objectivity and transparency of the actions being taken, this aspect of the overall investigation has today been voluntarily referred to the IPCC," the statement said.