THE mother of two little boys who died within months of each other had asked social services to take her children away, an inquest heard this morning.

Shelley Adams - who was later quizzed on suspicion of murdering both of her sons by smothering - called the local authority four weeks before her first child, Jayden, died saying she couldn't cope and wanted them to be taken away.

The little boy had been on the "at risk" register since the age of one over fears of neglect.

But, Southampton Coroners Court heard that that never happened and a month later in January 2011, two-year-old Jayden Adams was pronounced dead at hospital having been admitted limp and unconscious.

It was in April that year that his big brother Bradley, aged four, was also admitted to Southampton General Hospital in the same condition, suffering cardiac arrest, the inquest heard.

He died three days later.

Only hours earlier he had been deemed fit and healthy by staff at his nursery, while he was also seen less than an hour before being taken to hospital and appeared well.

That incident involved a group of youths who saw Ms Adams putting the little boy outside on a step where he was crying and upset.

Following Bradleys death Ms Adams, who lives in Southampton, was then arrested on suspicion of murder as detectives from Hampshire's major crime department had "strong suspicions" of foul play.

Detective inspector Dave Dilly, who led the investigation, told the court Ms Adams, who has learning difficulties, led a chaotic lifestyle and was heavily involved with social services throughout her life.

But despite extensive enquiries the Crown Prosecution Service took the decision not to bring criminal proceedings against her.

The matter was also thrashed out in the High Court over a considerable period of time, the inquest heard, because of ongoing care proceedings involving a surviving child.

As part of that, the judge Mr Justice Baker, had decided on the "balance of probability" whether Ms Adams was responsible for the children's deaths.

He found that she as "neglectful", she struggled as a parent, she dished out corporal punishment to the boys, she smacked them for behaving like children their age, she put her own needs before those of Bradley and Jayden, she struggled to provide appropriate food for them.

He went on to say she was responsible for "chronic neglect" despite receiving considerable support from social services and she was unable to cope with the demands of being a parent.

He acknowledged there was "a significant possibility that the mother was responsible for the death of the boys" but ultimately the local authority had not been able to prove on the balance of probability that she smothered either child.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman recorded an open determination on both deaths.

He said there were “controversial circumstances” surrounding the deaths of both boys that would have long lasting repercussions for those involved.