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WARREN -- Patricia Zarlingo, one of three accused in the Nevada Avenue NW house fire that killed 16-year-old Chassidy Broadstone, can see her five children -- but only in the presence of a mitigation specialist.
Zarlingo, 27, of Youngstown, was before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Sean O'Brien on Tuesday. She wore a white, long-sleeved shirt. A previous court ruling allows her to be in court without wearing a county jail jumpsuit.
Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Becker said in court that he spoke to Maj. Daniel Mason of the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office, who will allow an exception for Zarlingo to see her children with the specialist.
The exception is in contrast to a rule in the Trumbull County jail that doesn't allow for children under the age of 18 to make county jail visits.
The purpose of the meetings will allow the specialist to help build a case for Zarlingo that would aid in reducing or lessening her possible punishment if convicted, as she could face the death penalty.
The approved motion allows Zarlingo about 30 minutes a week of supervised visitation.
Court documents from her defense lawyers indicate that Zarlingo has not seen her children in "any capacity" since her arrest, which occurred Feb. 1.
Several other pending motions will be discussed at her next pre-trial hearing on October
Zarlingo along with Brendan Daviduk and Zackary Gurd face two counts of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, first-degree aggravated arson, second-degree aggravated arson, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence.
The aggravated murder specifications state that a felony was committed in the act of the murder.
They are accused of starting the Jan. 19 house fire on Nevada Avenue NW that killed Broadstone, a Warren G. Harding High School junior, and hospitalized her two sisters.