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Pleasanton Sisters Arraigned On Child Abuse Charges For Swaddling

PLEASANTON (CBS/AP) -- The attorney for two Northern California sisters facing charges that they endangered the lives of infants at their daycare by binding them too tightly in swaddling blankets says the women didn't intend to hurt the babies.

Timothy Rien, the attorney for Nazila and Lida Sharaf, says the sisters contend they didn't commit child abuse. Rien spoke Thursday, when the women were arraigned in a Contra Costa County courtroom on three counts of felony child abuse and neglect and four counts of misdemeanor child abuse and neglect.

A plea hearing was scheduled for Monday.

Police say the women wrapped up seven babies like a "boa constrictor" at their Livermore preschool. They say the children were wrapped so tightly, it impaired their ability to move and breathe.

State officials closed the daycare last month.

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