A Marquette woman appeared in Hamilton County Court on Monday to face felony child abuse charges related to the death of a 3-month-old child in Marquette on Aug. 6.
Sheriff Jeromy McCoy reported last week that on Aug. 6 deputies had responded to a 911 call at 107 Lynn St. in Marquette for an unresponsive child. The infant, Stormi Swartz, was pronounced dead at Aurora Memorial Hospital after life-saving measures were unsuccessful.
McCoy reported that following an investigation 20-year-old Tiffany Cure had been arrested and jailed on Thursday on charges of child abuse resulting in death, a Class 1B felony. The sheriff said Cure was providing childcare for Swartz at the time of the 911 call.
In an initial court appearance before Judge Lynette Homolka on Monday morning, Cure was advised of her rights by the judge, who also informed her that she had not qualified for an attorney to be paid for by the state. However, the defendant was represented in court by attorney Timothy Noerrlinger, who is with the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy.
Homolka advised Cure that if convicted under the current charge she would face a minimum penalty of 20 years in prison and could face the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The state, represented by Assistant County Attorney Ross Luzum, asked the judge to set a contested preliminary hearing for Cure. The judge set that hearing for Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Stating that she had determined there was probable cause to continue detention of the defendant, Homolka set bond for Cure at 10 percent of $750,000. McCoy said his office was assisted in the investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol.
