Montana Woman Charged in Fatal Fire Pleads Guilty
Twila Carey, 38, originally faced two counts of negligent homicide, along with two counts of felony criminal endangerment, and one count each of felony possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
In exchange for her guilty pleas in District Court to one count of criminal endangerment and one count of possessing dangerous drugs, prosecutors dropped the other charges.
Carey was babysitting 5- and 4-year-old girls Sasha Waldo and Kaitlyn Kanenwisher at Carey's house in Miles City on March 15, 2003, when a fire broke out. Carey, who had been sleeping, escaped the fire, but the girls were killed. Officials believe they had been playing with a lighter Carey had left within their reach.
Carey had methamphetamine in her system at the time of the fire, in addition to having the drug in her home, authorities said.
She was scheduled to go to trial on Monday. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for March 29.