A Barton County woman charged in the March 2023 death of a 4-month-old child pleaded not guilty Thursday to four counts, including felony first-degree murder.

Christy M. Nemnich, 32, represented by attorneys Stephanie Grismer and Elsa Archambault of AGW Law of Denver, appeared via Zoom Thursday in Barton County District Court for an arraignment hearing. She is charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of felony child abuse, and one count of operating an unlicensed day care in connection with the March 28, 2023, death of a four-month-old infant who was in her care at her home-based childcare business in Ellinwood. If convicted of first-degree murder, Nemnich faces a life sentence.

At the arraignment, Judge Richard Burgess formally read the charges, and Nemnich entered a plea of not guilty and affirmed that she understood the allegations.

The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office. Charges were filed by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office in April 2025. The State of Kansas is represented by Assistant Attorneys General Tyler Winslow and JD Hatcher.

During a preliminary hearing on Oct. 15, 2025, the Court found probable cause that the injuries leading to the child’s death were caused by the defendant, allowing the case to proceed. The next phase of the case will involve pre-trial motions, which could affect what evidence is allowed or whether the case moves forward. If the case survives those motions, it will proceed to a jury trial, which is pending scheduling. If the case proceeds, a jury trial is expected to last two weeks.