COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A woman visiting from Maryland who told police she abandoned her 14-month-old boy on the front porch of a stranger’s home in central Ohio was ordered held on $150,000 bond on Wednesday in her first court appearance.
Authorities said the child was presumed dead and the woman’s attorney said she made up the porch story.
Dainesha Stevens is charged with endangering children and tampering with evidence and was held on $75,000 bond on each count. Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Michael Brandt also ordered her not to have any contact with children.
Stevens, 24, is charged with letting someone harm the child by severely disciplining him without trying to stop the person, according to charging information read in court Wednesday. The assault happened between Dec. 21 and Dec. 23, according to the charges.
Stevens’ attorney said his client is cooperating with police in their search for the toddler.