Two women have denied locking three children in a basement earlier this year.

Amy Newman, 46, and Crystal Mears, 37, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to three counts each of felony criminal endangerment.

Prosecutors charged the pair in May after someone reported to school staff and police that three children — ages 12, 11, and 9 — had been locked in a basement for extended periods of time without access to lighting, a toilet or food.

Kalispell Police investigated and allegedly found three small mattresses and no other furniture in the basement room, and no light other than what was coming from a crack in a window. The windows had been boarded up. There allegedly were numerous locks, including padlocks and zip ties, on the basement door.

Flathead District Court Judge Robert Allison told the women on Thursday that it was OK for them to continue living together as their cases progress through court, but they are not allowed to speak with any witnesses or the alleged victims.

Prosecutor Alison Howard voiced her concern that an order in Justice Court was too lenient in defining who the women could or could not contact.

“I have some concerns that they arrived in court together,” Howard said.

Mears’ attorney Timothy Wenz said Newman and Mears live together.

“They do raise children together,” Wenz said.

The pair have received numerous threats since details of the case were made public, Wenz said.

Wenz said the children have been removed from the home.

Newman’s attorney Julieanne Hinchey said Newman does have some approved visitation, monitored by Child and Family Services, with children involved in the case.

Judge Allison said he was amenable to Newman seeing her children if Child and Family Services heavily monitors the interaction and makes sure no information about the case is discussed.

“Witnesses absolutely not and children witnesses doubly absolutely not,” Allison said.

A jury trial is set for Oct. 11.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].