Hearing set for parents accused of injuring baby

A preliminary hearing is set Aug. 13 in East Fork Justice Court for a Gardnerville Ranchos couple accused of causing multiple fractures and other injuries to their five-month-old son.

Jeremy Taylor, 28, and Marie Youmans, 27, are each charged with felony child abuse or neglect causing substantial bodily harm from May 1-July 11.

They were arrested after they brought the baby to Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare because they said he had a rash. An emergency room doctor said the infant suffered multiple fractures, burns and bruises indicating a lengthy pattern of abuse.

The parents denied harming the child.

The infant, now six months old, is under the care of state Child Protective Services and is living with Taylor's parents, according to court reports.

Taylor and Youmans are in Douglas County Jail on $25,000 bail each.

Justice Jim EnEarl denied a motion Wednesday to release Youmans on her own recognizance.

Her attorney, Kris Brown, said in the motion there was no evidence that Youmans was responsible for the baby's injuries and that her client had no prior criminal record.

Lawyer Tod Young, filling in Wednesday for Brown, said Youmans had nowhere to go.

"This is a young woman without means," Young said. "Her parents live here, this is her home."

Prosecutor Laurie Trotter said Youmans faced the same responsibility as her husband in allegedly harming the baby.

"The motion says there is no evidence Ms. Youmans is responsible for the injuries. The state alleges she actually caused the abuse or placed the child in danger of abuse," Trotter said. "She is criminally liable and subject to the same penalties. The injuries are very, very serious."

Trotter said Youmans would not be eligible for probation unless an evaluation determined she was at low risk to reoffend.

"It's very possible and very likely she will be sent to prison for 2-20 years," Trotter said. "There is a potential for flight risk."

In denying the motion, EnEarl said he was concerned that Youmans would have access to the baby, now six months old.

He denied a similar motion last week for Taylor.

EnEarl, whose last day on the bench is Friday, said the defendants were free to bring up their custody with his successor.

The complaint says the suspects caused or permitted the child to suffer fractures to his skull, arms and ribs, multiple abrasions and bruising throughout the body, and burns to his buttocks, legs and, or feet.

If convicted, the charge carries punishment ranging from probation up to 20 years in prison.