A 42-year-old mother has appeared in court accused of stabbing her three children in a parked car in Valley Heights, near Springwood in the Blue Mountains. Her five-year-old son died, while her one- and three-year-old children and the woman herself were taken to hospital. The case has drawn attention after two passing cyclists found the bloodied car and gave first aid.

The woman appeared via video link from her hospital bed at Penrith Local Court, under police guard. She faces one murder charge and two attempted murder charges, was refused bail and is due to return to court on 20 November. Police allege she also attempted to take her own life after the attack.