Henderson couple indicted on child abuse charges

A Henderson couple were indicted on charges of child abuse or neglect resulting in substantial bodily harm nearly one year after their days-old baby was hospitalized with severe head trauma, a prosecutor said.

Katie Maynard, 21, and Robert J. Aufdenberg, 22, are accused of shaking their 8-day-old infant and delaying to seek medical attention for his injuries until at least 12 hours after he was injured, according to Maynard’s Henderson arrest report.

“He has massive, permanent, irrevocable brain injuries which will, according to the testimony presented to this grand jury, cause an expedited death in his life,” Chief Deputy District Attorney David Stanton said.

Stanton argued for a high bail, citing the couple’s prior child abuse conviction in Texas involving their second child; their prior rights to supervised visitation with their first child; and their relationship with their mothers, who he argued did not act in the best interests of the newborn when he was injured.

“I think that clearly supports a very high, if not astronomical bail for the two reasons of the protection of the community and to prevent risk of flight,” Stanton said.

District Judge David Barker heeded Stanton’s recommendation and kept the couple’s bail at $1 million each. They are scheduled to appear in District Court 8:30 a.m. Aug. 8.