Quebec doctor charged with killing his 2 children

A Quebec cardiologist has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his two young children in the Laurentianstown of Piedmont.

The charges were filed Tuesday at the St-Jrme courthouse against Guy Turcotte, 36.

Neither Turcottenor his lawyer appeared in court to hear the charges, butarepresentative for thelawyer was there on their behalf.

On Tuesday,Turcotte remained in a Montreal hospital where he has been recovering since Saturday from what police say was a self-inflicted drug overdose.

Quebec provincial police said their detectives have not met with Turcotte yet and may have to wait a few days until he is well enough.

On Saturday, police discovered the bodies of Turcotte's five-year-old son, Olivier, and three-year-old daughter, Anne-Sophie, in the family home in Piedmont,60 kilometres northwest of Montreal.

Autopsies are scheduledthis weekto determine the causes of the children'sdeaths.

Turcotte is a cardiologist at St-Jrme Hospital, the same hospital where his wife works as a doctor. She was not in townSaturday when the deaths occurred.

The Quebec College of Physicians and Surgeons said it doesn't plan to take any action regarding Turcotte's medical licence until the court proceedings run their course.

Crown prosecutor Claudia Carbonneau said Turcotte will be transferred to a detention centre after his health improves.

Turcotte's next court appearance is scheduled for April 30.