Couple expected to plead guilty in baby abuse today

A Gardnerville Ranchos couple is expected to plead guilty in district court this morning to attempted child abuse causing substantial bodily harm in connection with injuries suffered by their 5-month-old baby.

Jeremy Taylor, 28, and Marie Youmans, 27, waived their rights to a preliminary hearing on Aug. 27 in East Fork Justice Court.

In an agreement with the district attorney's office, each defendant must plead guilty to the alleged abuse which reportedly occurred May 1-July 11.

In exchange for their pleas, a more serious felony charge will be amended.

Prosecutor Laurie Trotter said both sides would be free to argue at sentencing.

"The plea is contingent on both agreeing to plead guilty," Trotter said.

Trotter said the penalty is 1-10 years in Nevada State Prison.

They would be eligible for probation if they were deemed not at a high risk to reoffend following a psychological evaluation.

The parents were arrested July 11 after they brought the 5-month-old baby to Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare because they said he had a rash.

An emergency room doctor said the infant had fractures of his skull, ribs, and arms, and burns on his buttocks and the heels and bottoms of his feet.

His ears and face also were bruised.

The physician said the fractures were in stages of healing and could be one week to one month old, according to court documents.

The baby, now seven months old, is under the care of state Child Protective Services.

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