Update: Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 4:45 p.m.
A woman accused of shaking a Taos baby now has a new charge filed against her.
A Cole County grand jury has returned a two count indictment against daycare provider Shelley Richter.
The grand jury charged Richter with child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, alleging she hit and shook 7-month-old Lane Schaeffer.
Lane is back home and needs daily physical therapy and the family say he may suffer permanent vision loss.
Richter said she dropped Lane on a concrete floor after tripping over another child at her home daycare.
However, doctors testified in front of the grand jury the baby’s injuries are consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
The indictment came down on Tuesday.
Update: Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 6:10 p.m.
The Cole County woman charged with abusing a baby did not enter a plea Tuesday.
Instead, Shelley Richter’s attorney appeared in court to waive her formal arraignment.
She's expected to plead not guilty at her preliminary hearing, which was set for next month.
Original Story:
A Cole county woman charged with child abuse is expected to enter a plea Tuesday. Shelley Richter's attorney said he expects her to plead not guilty.
Richter, who lives in Taos, said she tripped over a child and dropped Lane Schaefer on a concrete floor while he was at her home day care.
Doctors said the child's injuries are consistent with those of "shaken baby syndrome." Lane is out of the hospital, but makes daily trips to see doctors for physical therapy. Doctors told family members the eight-month-old may never regain his eyesight.
Friends and family will are holding a benefit for Lane this weekend.
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