LYCOMING COUNTY, Pa. — Investigators believe that remains found in a backyard in Lycoming County over the weekend are those of two little girls who have not been seen in years.
Police were back along Livermore Road near Williamsport on Sunday.
On Monday, they confirmed that a six-year-old child died in 2016, and a four-year-old child died the following year.
Authorities believe the children are Marie Snyder's daughters.
Snyder, 32, and her partner Echo Butler, 26, are in jail on child endangerment charges.
Old Lycoming Township police say Children and Youth Services began investigating in September after receiving reports that Snyder's seven-year-old son was not receiving proper education.
At that time, CYS also asked about Snyder's daughters.
Snyder refused to answer any questions and was arrested last Thursday. Authorities say that's when a search warrant was issued, leading to this discovery.
"The remains of the two deceased children are being flown to Erie, Pennsylvania, this morning to be examined by a forensic anthropologist, and we are going to await further analysis on that. The investigation into the manner of death, the motive, and the timeline of events continue to be explored by the Investigators. This is classified as a homicide investigation," said Old Lycoming Police Chief Christopher Kriner.
Investigators said they concluded their search of the property on Livermore Road on Sunday.
"The investigators from all agencies—the local, state, and federal agencies—worked around the clock on November 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th. They did additional search warrants at the property to exhume the remains of two children," Chief Kriner said.
Homicide charges have not been filed so far against Snyder and Butler.