A Bismarck couple has pleaded not guilty to two counts of abuse or neglect of a child.

Paul and Crystal Hoiland also pleaded not guilty to possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia Monday at the Burleigh County Courthouse.

South Central District Judge Robert Wefald found that there was probable cause for the charges after a short preliminary hearing.

Bismarck Police Officer Jerry Stein testified during the hearing that officers knocked on doors and windows at the Hoilands' apartment for at least 45 minutes after being called to the apartment because of loud noise. The officers also could hear a child crying and coughing, he said.

The apartment manager let them in, and they found Paul and Crystal Hoiland asleep with their 4- and 5-year-old children, Stein said. He said officers had to yell at Crystal Hoiland to wake her up, and she woke her husband up after officers were unable to wake him.

"It was obvious they had been consuming a lot of alcohol that evening, and perhaps some drugs," Stein said.

He said officers found a sword, nunchucks and a marijuana roach within the reach of the children at the apartment.

Wefald said the prolonged period of time it took officers to wake the Hoilands seemed significant enough to bring the case to trial.

The Hoilands will make their next court appearance on May 14.