Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan C. Gardner said on Friday that he'll be seeking the extreme punishment for Marie Sue Snyder, 32, and her partner, Echo Lane Butler, 26 -- the latter of whom apparently did the burying -- if they are convicted.
Echo Butler's mom, Michele L. Butler, 49, was arrested on a third-degree murder charge and related offenses, but will be spared of the death penalty, Gardner said.
The remains of Snyder's daughters -- Nicole Elizabeth, 6, and Jasmine Jean, 4 -- were found behind a Williamsport home in 2016 and 2017, respectively, Old Lycoming police said.
Police were called to the family home last September when Snyder's 7-year-old son didn't show up to school, Fox56 reports. When questioned about her daughters, Snyder told officials they were living with a friend and being homeschooled, the outlet said.
A search warrant later uncovered the girls' bodies in the area behind the trailer home where the three women live with Michele Butler's husband, who is not charged, police said.
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