Natisha Schlabach, 24, was indicted by a Fleming County grand jury on Friday (Feb. 21).
Schlabach is charged with first-degree assault, "when under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life she wantonly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to a 19-month-old child and thereby caused serious physical injury to that child," according to the indictment.
The child in question was a 17-month-old foster child who had been placed in Schlabach's care.
On Dec. 17, Kentucky State Police were contacted by Social Services about a child who was not breathing. The child had been transported to the Fleming County Hospital, according to KSP Master Trooper Joe Veenemen.
Schlabach was arrested on Dec. 20. On Dec. 23, Schlabach pleaded not guilty to one count first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12 years of age. The same day, she posted a $250,000 property bond and was released.
Schlabach's arrest citation said the child was examined in the emergency room of Fleming County Hospital before begin airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, where he was re-examined.
The boy underwent surgery for severe brain trauma and was placed on life support, according to Gardner.
"During interviews with numerous people it was determined that (Schlabach) and her husband were home when Natisha said she put (the child) in the bed and he quit breathing/began having difficulty. I spoke with the doctor and pediatric surgeon at UK who stated (the child) had numerous bruises and a serious traumatic brain injury consistent with physical abuse. He further stated that injuries would not have been caused by an accident," Gardner said in the citation.
Schlabach is being represented by Maysville attorneys Raymond Bogucki and Richard Reed. If convicted, Schlabach could face 10 to 20 years in prison.
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