An Ellinwood woman charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of a four-month-old baby appeared in Barton County District Court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.
Christy M. Nemnich is charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of child abuse, and one count of operating an unlicensed day care in connection with the March 28, 2023, death in Barton County.
The charges were filed in April by First Assistant Attorney General Megan Ahsens of Attorney General Chris Kobach’s office. At that time, Nemnich was 32 years old. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Barton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Topeka Capital Journal reported that the charging document alleged the child had suffered “great bodily harm or abusive head trauma” and Nemnich did “torture, cruelly beat or strike” the baby.
On Wednesday, the judge found probable cause that Nemnich had caused the injuries that resulted in the baby’s death. She is scheduled to enter a plea at her Dec. 18 arraignment.