Two of the children removed from the home of a Middletown couple last summer will begin having pre-placement visits with potential guardians, Judge Thomas Lipps said Wednesday afternoon in Butler County Juvenile Court.

The girls, 17 and 13, will visit with non-relatives of Shawn and Joanna Blackston, the couple originally accused with locking one of their eight children in the basement of their home at 1606 Philadelphia Ave.

Jason and Jessika Sturgill, of Hamilton, told the court they were interested in caring for three of the Blackston children. Jessika Sturgill and Joanna Blackston worked together at a nursing company, Lipps said. Two of the girls will visit with the Sturgills, and if the visits go well, they will be placed in their custody. The 15-year-old daughter eventually may rejoin her sisters, Lipps said.

The three girls are staying in foster care in Southwest Ohio, said Amy Ashcraft, their attorney.

The girls’ biological mother, Charlessa Blackston, who lives in Florida, had her home inspection denied, Lipps said. He said the possible placement was in the children’s “best interest” and the “best alternative” because they deserve permanency.

At one time, eight children lived with the Blackstons. One was removed in February 2012, and six more were removed in July after Middletown police and Butler County Children Service were called to the home. There also was an 18-year-old who now lives on her own.

The seven children have been living in foster care since they were removed from the Blackston home last year.

Lipps said he wanted to review how the three children were adjusting to their new living arrangements in 60 days. He set the next hearing for 1:30 p.m. April 2.

Lipps said court documents showed that the 17- and 13-year-old were “adjusting well” and the 15-year-old’s mental health was “improving.”

Shawn Blackston attended the hearing and was represented by Hamilton attorney Robert Qucsai III. Joanna Blackston didn’t attend the hearing.

Rebecca Cepluch, the attorney for Charlessa Blackston, was ill and unable to attend the hearing, Lipps said.