TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan High Court on Wednesday rejected the appeal of a woman sentenced to life in prison for killing her two children at a motel last year.

The incident occurred on May 14, when the woman, surnamed Su (蘇), gave her sleeping children water laced with sedatives before covering their faces with a pillow, according to CNA. Both children struggled as Su continued to strangle them, causing death by asphyxiation.

In the first trial, the New Taipei District Court convicted Su on two counts of homicide of a child and sentenced her to life imprisonment, along with lifelong deprivation of civil rights.

Su appealed, claiming her actions were not cruel because she used sedatives, and citing pressures including raising two children alone, personal illness, financial difficulties, and drug use.

The High Court upheld the original ruling, finding no errors in the judgment. Su retains the right to appeal to the Supreme Court.