COEUR d'ALENE - Brandy Conklin, who helped alert police to the horrendous conditions two twin girls were enduring in a Coeur d'Alene apartment in December, has been recognized by police for her help.

Conklin, of Coeur d'Alene, received the "Civilian Humanitarian Award" from the Coeur d'Alene Police Department on March 24.

Police said Conklin was chosen for her role in alerting police to the dangerous conditions, enabling police to take the 2-year-old girls into protective custody. Her actions contributed to the well being of the children and the community.

Chief Wayne Longo thanked and praised Conklin for her willingness to care for others and help.

"It's great we live in a community where people will still get involved and do the right thing," Longo told The Press.

The twins' mother, Elisabeth C. Crossley, and grandmother, Ruth K. Cassidy, were arrested and charged with felony injury to a child. They are to be sentenced for the crime next month.

Crossley, Cassidy and the twins were living in an apartment on the 1200 block of N. Lincoln Way, in Coeur d'Alene, at the time of the Dec. 5 incident.

In an interview with The Press at the time, Conklin said that herb own son, Raymond, who also was 2 years old at the time, inspired her to spring into action and alert police.

Raymond's father, Anthony Brown, first spotted the twins penned up in a filthy bedroom "snuggled up to trash."

Brown told Conklin what he saw and asked her to look. After looking through the apartment window into the girls' bedroom, she immediately told Brown they must take action and contact police.

Brown and Conklin said it was a team effort.

Police said at the time that they had never seen living conditions so severe for young children.

The girls had bruising on various parts of their bodies and open sores. Both girls had dried fecal matter caked on their head, arms, legs, hands and feet.

The girls were trapped naked in their bedroom, with almost no furniture. There was a cushion fastened to the door to muffle any noise coming from inside.

Neighbors complained repeatedly because of the girls' crying, and police responded on multiple occasions.