Mother accused of killing her two children enters preliminary plea

The woman accused of abducting and killing her two children appeared in court for the first time Monday. Amber Pasztor, 29, has been charged with two counts of murder.

Pasztor was arrested September 26 after allegedly flagging down an Elkhart Police officer and telling him the bodies of her two children were in the back seat.

She was taken into custody and held on an outstanding warrant. Murder charges were filed on Friday.

Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill Jr. says the case is so horrific he's not ruling out seeking the death penalty.

"Tragic, horrific. There's all sorts of words to describe that," said Hill.

Pasztor arrived to the courthouse in handcuffs for her initial hearing.

"My responsibility at this point is to make sure she receives a fair trial and that these proceedings are solid. It’s my ultimate responsibility to make sure we have accountability for the deaths of these victims," said Hill.

She allegedly admitted to police she abducted, then killed 6-year-old Rene Pasztor and 7-year-old Liliana Hernandez.

"We may never know why someone does this and at the point where I believe I do know why I would save that for a jury to make sure that they’re the ones it’s important to," said Hill.

In court, the judge entered a preliminary not guilty plea on both murder counts.

Pasztor has 20 days to change her plea.

She did not have an attorney and requested a public defender.

Pasztor is also a suspect in the death of 65-year old Frank Macomber, whose body was discovered in the woods in Allen County, near the home of the two children the following morning, according to a press release from the Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office.

"That case appears to be a situation that would be handled in Allen County. There’s no indication that I’ve seen thus far of a connection with that death here other than a possible connection with Amber Pasztor," said Hill.

Pasztor will be in court again on October 27.