Nanny 'Was Losing Her Mind' Before Child Murders

The New York nanny accused of murdering two children in her care told relatives she was "losing her mind", according to reports.

Yoselyn Ortega, who remains in a critical condition in hospital after apparently stabbing herself, was struggling emotionally and financially, friends said.

Celia Ortega told the New York Post that her sister "had snapped", adding: "We don't understand what happened to her mind."

Neighbour Ruben Rivas told reporters she seemed to have suddenly aged in recent weeks and had lost weight.

Other friends said that Ortega had suffered a financial setback and was forced to move out of her rented apartment in the Bronx and into her sister's home.

Juan Pozo, who had rented a room from the Ortega family, told The New York Times that the nanny's sister told him that she had "felt like she was losing her mind" lately.

She had recently been taken by relatives to visit a psychologist, Mr Pozo said.

"Apparently over the last month she was not herself," said police department spokesman Paul Browne.

Police said they were unaware of any significant history of psychological problems for Ortega, but were investigating whether she had recently sought treatment.

Leo Krim, two, and Lucia, six, were found dying of stab wounds in the bath when their mother Marina returned to the family's Upper West Side apartment.

Mrs Krim had been with her other daughter Nessie while her husband Kevin was away on business.