Brandi Sturdivant was in the Guilford County Courthouse on Monday. She’s charged with three counts of felony neglect and child abuse in a house fire that killed her three children, all under the age of 5, back in December. Brandi Sturdivant, 28, was seen on the monitor heavily crying and rocking back and forth during her court appearance. The district attorney described the details of the fire as “very graphic and gruesome." The DA said Sturdivant was not home when the fire happened on Dec. 12 and that she told detectives she was taking her two older children to school. Greensboro police were called to the scene at approximately 7:55 a.m. in reference to a law assist request by the Greensboro Fire Department.The DA said the fire was around the door frame of the bedroom all three kids were sleeping in. She said if they wanted to get out, they couldn’t have. When firefighters got inside through a window, all three were found dead: two 1-year-old twins and a 4-year-old died.According to an autopsy, the 4-year-old child had cocaine in his system at the time of his death, and Sturdivant admitted to having cocaine in the home. The DA also said that Department of Social Services got a call weeks before the fire that children were left home alone routinely. According to neighbors, Sturdivant was the only adult that lived at the home and was rarely at home and often left the kids home alone at night.The DA said Sturdivant was already on probation for felony hit and run and assault resulting in serious injury. The DA also noted that Sturdivant tried to run away to Virginia before being arrested. Judge Kelvin Smith said, "She should have no contact with the older children that also resided in the home and no contact with the known state witnesses at this time."Sturdivant's two other children are in the protection of social services at this time.The DA said there are a lot of witnesses in this case and that they have concerns for their safety. "The court would note, based off the presentation today, that I would make a finding that she is both a flight risk and a threat to the community," Judge Smith said. Judge Smith also took a moment of silence, saying, "In terms of the court is to acknowledge the tragic loss of life of the children.”Sturdivant faces a maximum sentence of 88 months on each count if convicted. The district attorney said homicide charges are pending as detectives are still investigating. Detectives are still investigating the cause of the fire, but Sturdivant told them that she used an oven to heat the home because she couldn’t afford heat. A Guilford County detective present in court Monday said the investigation is still ongoing and has more people to interview. Sturdivant remains in jail on a 150 thousand dollar bond. Her next court appearance will be on March 16.