In a historic court hearing Wednesday, in which cameras were allowed inside a DuPage County courtroom for the first time, a Naperville woman's attorney entered a plea of not guilty for her in the stabbing deaths of two young children.
Elzbieta Plackowska, 40, did not speak during the hearing and was dressed in a dark blue jail uniform facing Judge Robert Kleeman with her back to the cameras. The hearing itself was short, lasting around 5 minutes.
Plackowska was indicted Nov. 15 on five counts of first-degree murder for the alleged stabbing deaths of her 7-year-old son Justin Plackowska and five counts of first-degree murder for the death of 5-year-old Olivia Dworakowski.
Get news in your inbox. Sign up for the Patch newsletter.
Like Naperville Patch on Facebook.
The indictment also alleges two counts of aggravated cruelty for allegedly stabbing to death two family dogs, a mixed breed, Niki, and a dachshund named Tootsie, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney.
Plackowska's attorney Michael Mara entered a not guilty plea for her on all 12 counts.
Both children were found stabbed to death on the night of Oct. 30 when Plackowska was babysitting them inside a townhouse in the 800 block of Quin Court in Naperville, prosecutors said.
On the night of Oct. 30, when Plackowska was brought in for questioning after the murders, she told police that the children had evil inside of them and she was trying to get the evil and devil out of them.
Plackowska then told police she was angry with her husband because he was gone most days working as a truck driver and did not appreciate her.
Plackowska's next court hearing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 4. If convicted, she faces a mandatory sentence of natural life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney.
Full Coverage on Naperville Patch:
Naperville Woman Indicted in Stabbing Deaths of 2 Children
Naperville Woman Charged in Stabbing Deaths to Undergo Psych Evaluation
After Children's Tragic Deaths, 360 Youth Services Offers Support, Healing
Family of Slain Naperville Girl Grieves, Thanks Community for Support
Memorial Fund Set Up for Slain 5-Year-Old Girl
Video: Naperville Gathers to Mourn, Remember Slain Children
New Judge Assigned for Naperville Mom Accused of Stabbing Kids to Death
Court Denies Bond for Naperville Mom Accused of Stabbing Children to Death
Police Charge Naperville Mom With Murder in Stabbing Deaths of Children
Community Reacts After Children Stabbed to Death in Naperville Home