The former Batavia resident who is accused of leaving her twin sons home alone one night in May before they died in a fire has hired a new criminal defense attorney.
Benjamin Bonarigo Sr. is now representing Heather Ace.
Ace is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The 25-year-old Stafford resident appeared in Batavia Town Court yesterday with her new attorney, who replaces Public Defender Jerry Ader.
No other actions were taken on her case and she is scheduled back in court in January.
She has pled not guilty to the charges.
According to court documents, Ace went out the night of May 26 after putting her kids to bed at 8 or 8:30 p.m. behind a door locked on the outside. She intended to go to the movies, according to statements, but instead went to a friend's house, smoked some marijuana and then went to a store and bought an alcoholic beverage called Four Loko. She then went to another friend's house and hung out.
Her mother called her to tell her her house was on fire. Ace was reportedly distraught and rushed to the house.
Micah and Michael Gard, both 2, succumbed to smoke inhalation, according to reports.
(Our news partner WBTA contributed to this report.)
