El Cajon

Bail was set Friday at $500,000 for an El Cajon mother charged with murder in the suffocations of her two children.

Deborah Sue Robles, 27, pleaded innocent before San Diego Municipal Judge Robert McDonald, who set a bail review for Tuesday.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Stephen Anear said his office has not decided whether to file special circumstances allegations, which could cause Robles to be executed if she is convicted of first-degree murder.

The first child, Matthew, died Sept. 1, 1980, four months after his birth, when Robles and her husband, Vincent, lived in Santee. John Robles, 5, who had cerebral palsy, died Jan. 19, 1985.

John’s death was reported to have resulted from a seizure, and Matthew’s death was listed as a combination of cardiac arrest and hydrocephalus (water on the brain), with which he was born.

Police were called to the house after the death of John, and are investigating similarities in the two children’s deaths.

“She does present a danger to society, and there does appear to be some mental instability,” Anear argued in urging the $500,000 bail.

Deborah Robles, who appeared in court in jail clothes and wearing a chain around her waist for security, said nothing in court. Her court-appointed attorney, Michael Popkins, did not suggest a bail amount.

Her preliminary hearing will be held on March 13, and Anear estimated it would last two days.

Her husband is not a suspect in the case.