CLEVELAND -- A mother accused of drowning her two children in the bathtub is in custody at the 4th District Jail and has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder.

Police said Amber Hill, 22, killed her own children, 2-year-old Cecess Hill and 4-year-old Jannelle Cintron, Monday morning.

Hill had herself been the victim of abuse by their father, Jamie Cintron, according to authorities and court records.

The charges came after Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller ruled that the girls drowned and that their deaths were homicides.

Hill called the children's father, Jamie Cintron, at work Monday and told him that the children were at peace, Cleveland TV station WEWS reported.

The director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services said they never had a call about the girls being mistreated.

But court records show the mother had been abused by the father. In 2004, Jamie Cintron pleaded no contest to domestic violence against Hill and was put on six months' probation.

Hill is expected to appear in court on Wednesday morning.

A memorial continues to grow outside the apartment on Woodland Avenue where the little girls lost their lives.

Neighbors are in disbelief, and are offering prayers and teddy bears for the girls and those who loved them.

"I have two grandchildren. My heart goes out to the family and everything," said neighbor Jennifer Taylor.

"Everybody's surprised. They didn't think she'd do anything like that. I woke up this morning and thought it was a dream," said neighbor Deondra Hurt.

Benedict also spoke with the girls' aunt. She said the family is not only asking for prayers, but your help. They're not prepared to pay for two funerals.

A fund is being set up in their name. The details have not yet been released.

A community prayer vigil is planned for Wednesday to remember the children.