Details of Md. Girls' Deaths Revealed

New details are emerging about the death of two girls who were killed and put inside a freezer.

Their mother, 42-year old Renee Bowman, appeared in a Montgomery County court where she is charged with their murders. Bowman seemed dazed, her eyes wandering around the courtroom. She did not speak, but charging documents spoke volumes about the crimes.

It's in Montgomery County more than three years ago that investigators believe she killed two of her adopted daughters.

According to court documents, just after Mother's Day in 2006 Bowman's daughter, 9-year old Minnet Bowman went missing, while her sister 7-year old Jasmine Bowman, disappeared about a month later.

A third adopted daughter who survived told police that by the time they moved from their Rockville home in November 2007, her sisters were already gone. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy, who is trying the case, rattled off the list of charges.

"Contained within the indictment are two counts of murder, two counts of child abuse resulting in death and one count of child abuse for the surviving child," he said.

She also faces a count of theft for taking government stipends for the adopted girls, even though it's believed they were dead.

Police discovered the bodies inside a freezer at Bowman's home in Lusby, Maryland back in September 2008 when her 7-year old adopted daughter was found severely abused and wandering the neighborhood. Calvert County detectives say the young girl jumped from her bedroom window, afraid her mother was going to kill her.

Later, the girl told police while she and her sisters lived in Rockville, their mother locked them in a room, forcing them to go to the bathroom in a bucket, and that Bowman beat and choked them.

"They were vulnerable kids they were helpless and I think everybody in the criminal justice system has a great deal of sympathy, and maybe taking a little bit of responsibility at all levels, how can we make sure this doesn't ever happen again," said McCarthy.

The autopsy revealed Minnet, had broken bones in her arms and hand before she died, and Jasmine had lacerations to her scalp. The cause of death was asphyxiation.

Bowman will be returned to Calvert County, where she is facing child abuse charges. Her trial on those charges is scheduled for September. Bowman's public defender did not want to talk.

The judge ordered her held without bond, although Bowman is already being held in Calvert County. Her trial date for the murders is in October.

Prosecutors also raised concerns that Bowman could try to use a psychiatric defense, claiming she is not criminally responsible.