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Bond was denied for Cusick, 33, of 11749 Pied Piper Parkway, and a not guilty plea was entered by the court on her behalf. Also, Cusick was declared indigent and Mike Reed was named her court-appointed counsel. Reed also is representing Cusick in a murder charge filed against her in February in the Nov. 23, 1996, death of her stepson.
Cusick was indicted in February for allegedly killing 7-year-old Anthony Cusick, who was found dead in a closet after a fire in the Cusick home.
At the same time, the grand jury failed to find the evidence to indict Cusick in the death of 4-year-old Kaelie Cusick, who died after allegedly falling down a flight of stairs at the Cusick home.
In both instances, the children were under the care of Sherrie Cusick, who is married to the children's father, Richard Cusick.
After the grand jury concluded, the investigation into Kaelie's death remained open and charges were filed Monday after two experts determined Kaelie did not suffer a broken neck as originally assumed.
A pediatric forensic pathologist and a forensic radiologist reviewed X-rays and other information compiled by law enforcement officials and the two concurred Kaelie likely died from blunt force trauma to the head and possibly was strangled.
Kaelie's death was initially ruled accidental, but no mode of death was ever noted on her death certificate.
On the day she died, Kaelie reportedly became entangled in a sheet she had wrapped around her and tumbled down the stairs. She was found by her brother, Anthony.
Anthony later died, on Nov. 23, 1996, after allegedly playing with matches in a closet and succumbing to smoke inhalation. His cause of death was listed as carbon monoxide poisoning.
Evidence from Anthony's death suggests foul play, authorities said, because no matches were found in the closet in which Anthony's body was found and the burn pattern in the closet is said to be consistent with an unconscious child. Also, the closet door was not locked, obstructed or otherwise barricaded to prevent his exit, according to court documents.
One of the experts who reviewed the material from both children's deaths, Janice Ophoven, M.D., of Woodbury, Minn., wrote in a report: "I strongly recommend re-opening the death investigation of (Anthony's) sister Kaelie. Until further evaluation proves otherwise, I assume foul play in the death of both children."
If convicted, Cusick faces 45 to 65 years in prison in each case. There is a possiblity, as well, the prosecution will seek the death penalty or life without parole in the murder cases. No decision has been made at this time in regards to how the matters will be pursued, said Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed.
Cusick was scheduled to go on trial this month to face the murder charge brought against her in Anthony's death. However, her attorney requested a continuance until sometime after Jan. 1. That request was granted by Judge Reed, with no new trial date set at this time.
