A Pennsylvania woman convicted of drowning her two young sons in the family's bathtub at their home in McCandlass near Pittsburgh in 2014 will spend the next 30 to 80 years behind bars.

Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Manning handed down the sentenced against Laurel Schlemmer, 43, on Wednesday.

In March, Manning found Schlemmer guilty of third-degree murder, but mentally ill.

After Schlemmer drowned her sons Daniel, 6, and Luke, 3 , she told police she thought her boys would be better off in heaven.

During the trial, it was revealed she had tried to kill them a year earlier by running them over with her van.

>> Related: Pastor: Husband supporting wife accused of drowning child

Schlemmer said at the time it was an accident, and no charges were filed in that case.

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez