The operator of an unlicensed West Knox County day care where twin toddlers drowned last year now faces criminal charges.

A grand jury indicted Jennifer Salley, 35, on two counts of criminally negligent homicide in connection to the deaths of Elijah and Elyssa Orejuela.

On July 20, the twins were found in the deep end of the swimming pool at the home on Fox Lonas Road where Salley had been operating a day care called Om Baby.

The toddlers, who were nearly 2 years old, were rushed to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Elyssa died later the same day. Elijah was pronounced dead two days later.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation that culminated in an indictment being returned last week. It was not immediately clear when and where authorities arrested Salley, who has reportedly been living in Texas.

The twins’ parents, Amelia Wieand and Enrique Orejuela, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Salley in federal court last month, seeking damages that could total more than $50 million.

The lawsuit claims Salley left the toddlers unattended long enough that they were able to get out of a bedroom, move around inside the house, go outside, get onto the deck, pass through one or more gates into the backyard and fall into the swimming pool.

Before the drownings, Salley’s day care drew scrutiny from the state. A Care.com profile for Om Baby falsely claimed she had a state license to care for children, which is required to keep more than four unrelated children at a time for more than three hours per day. Officials served Salley with an injunction in May 2018 after visiting the home and finding her caring for more than four children.

Authorities have said Salley did not appear to be in violation of the injunction at the time of the drownings.