Offer on the table

COEUR d'ALENE - A pretrial settlement offer is on the table in Elisabeth C. Crossley's case that, if accepted by the court, would dismiss one felony count against her in exchange for a guilty plea to another, according to court documents.

Crossley, 26, is currently charged with two counts of felony injury to a child. Idaho statutes say each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Both Crossley and her attorney, Craig Zanetti, have signed the settlement offer, which was offered up by Kootenai County deputy prosecutor Donna Gardner. Crossley hasn't pleaded guilty in open court.

Zanetti couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Also in return for a possible guilty plea on one count, prosecutors would recommend that any sentence be consistent with a presentence investigation report.

Crossley's twin 2-year-old girls were found Dec. 5 living in the filthiest conditions police have ever witnessed. She was living at an apartment on the 1200 block of North Lincoln Way in Coeur d'Alene with the girls.

Crossley was arrested after the girls were found sealed off in a bedroom, with no clothes, bedding or furniture. The girls were covered in fecal matter, as were the walls and floor. Police officers vomited after entering the room.

The girls had bruising on various parts of their bodies and open sores.

Crossley and her mother, Ruth K. Cassidy, 55, are being held at Kootenai County jail. Cassidy, who also lived in the apartment, has been charged with two counts of felony injury to a child.

Cassidy's defense attorney, Jed Nixon, declined to comment Monday about the settlement agreement offer his client has been presented with. The settlement offer hasn't been filed in court documents in Cassidy's case.

In court last week, though, Nixon said an offer had been made, and that his client was mulling it over, but no decision has officially been made.

Crossley and Cassidy are likely to be arraigned in about three to four weeks in 1st District Court, when a possible plea deal could be presented to the court. Their cases were assigned to District Court Judge John Luster.