Nampa twins jailed on allegations of abusing, neglecting their mother, 92

Danny and David Nicks, 55, could face up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted on charges of felony abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult.

They were arraigned Monday.

Their mother, Verda Nicks, died on Dec. 26, about six weeks after she was rescued from her garbage- and feces-filled home in Nampa. The cause of death is listed as natural causes, and unless evidence arises that her death was caused by the neglect, the brothers will not be charged with causing her death, Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak said.

The twins were not charged immediately because it wasn't clear they were legally responsible for their mother, he said, noting that Verda Nicks said no one was taking care of her.

But later, prosecutors discovered the brothers were serving as her caretakers and filed felony charges.

Police went to the home on 7th Avenue South to check on Verda Nicks Nov. 17 after a friend called to report she had been unable to reach the woman for several weeks, according to court documents.

"I observed feces up around Verda's shoulder area, black flies on her forehead and a strong odor of decomposing body," Officer K. Seibel reported in a probable cause affidavit. "Verda did not want to be taken to the hospital, but I advised her she had to go to be evaluated."

(Edit:Ruby)