Hearing set for child neglect case

COEUR d'ALENE - A magistrate on Thursday will be presented with evidence collected against two Coeur d'Alene women in a case police said involves the filthiest living conditions for children ever seen here.

The magistrate, Penny Friedlander, will decide whether or not to send the case up to 1st District Court for trial, following Thursday's preliminary hearing. She could also dismiss the complaint after the evidence has been presented.

Elisabeth C. Crossley, 26, the mother of twin 2-year-old girls, and her mother, Ruth K. Cassidy, 55, are both charged with two counts of felony injury to a child.

Crossley's girls, who were living with her and Cassidy at their apartment at 1201 N. Lincoln Way in Coeur d'Alene, have been taken into state custody. Crossley had a custody hearing on Monday, but it was closed to the public.

Crossley was arrested Dec. 5 at their apartment when the shocking living conditions were witnessed by police, and Cassidy was arrested a couple days later. Both remain in custody at Kootenai County jail.