Arizona woman arrested after two children found dead in car

The children were found strapped into car seats

Police tape marks the crime scene (REUTERS/Max Whittaker)

An Arizona mother has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder after her baby and toddler were found dead in a vehicle.

Local police found Brittany Velasquez's 10-month-old daughter and two-year-old son strapped into car seats in a vehicle at the family home in Superior, located approximately 60 miles (97 km) east of Phoenix.

A spokeswoman for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Navideh Forghani, said there was evidence of foul play found at the scene. She did not elaborate further.

Local Superior police found the children at about 11pm and called detectives from the sheriff’s office to assist with the investigation.

Autopsies are set to be conducted on the bodies to determine exact cause of death. The victims’ names have not yet been released.

Ms Foghani did not comment on how the children ended up being placed in the vehicle. She also did not comment on a possible motive for Ms Velasquez.

It is not known if Ms Velazquez has an attorney who can comment on the case.

The rural town of Superior has a population of less than 3,000.