A woman in western Pennsylvania is charged with endangering her two children for allegedly ignoring warnings and sending the kids to school with lice.

Authorities in Belle Vernon, Pa., say Nicole Lynn Holmes remains in jail Wednesday awaiting a preliminary hearing.

School officials in the town south of Pittsburgh told police the problem arose in February when Holmes was told she had to get her children treated before they could return to school.

But police say she later sent the two youngsters back to school without treatment and exposed other children to lice.

Court staff said Wednesday that a public defender would be assigned to represent Holmes at the preliminary hearing Friday.