Bail lowered for woman in teen son’s death

A judge today lowered the bail for a woman accused of killing her 15-year-old chronically ill son by not providing him proper medical care. She will likely be released from custody after spending almost three months in jail pending her trial.

District Judge James Bixler lowered 40-year-old Lena Anderson's bail from $275,000 to $50,000, which is an amount she can make, said her attorney, Deputy Public Defender Dan Silverstein.

Anderson has no criminal history and worked as a cashier at Red Rock Resort. Her other teenage son, who is with family friends, is living in Las Vegas.

Anderson broke out in tears after Bixler agreed to lower her bail.

"Thank you very much," she said.

Anderson's son Patrick Atkins died in February after suffering from a chronic kidney disorder since he was 4 years old. Silverstein has said Patrick, who attended Western High School, essentially stopped taking his medications because he wanted to live out his last few years as a normal boy. The medications, which included human growth medicines, were making him sick, Silverstein said.

Prosecutors said Anderson was repeatedly warned that not caring for Patrick would result in his death.

Authorities said she is criminally liable for her son's death because she willfully withheld medical treatment for Patrick.

In June, Anderson was bound over to District Court, where she is facing charges of murder and child abuse.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.