UNNAMED BABY BOY - 2 months/ Accused: Mother; Elizabeth A. Michaud - Leavenworth KS

Bond revoked for mother accused of endangering her baby

By John Richmeier, GateHouse News Service
Posted Aug 23, 2012 @ 08:32 AM

Leavenworth, Kan. — A woman accused of leaving her baby alone in an alley has had her bond revoked amid allegations that she’s abused prescription drugs.

Elizabeth A. Michaud, 28, appeared Wednesday in Leavenworth County District Court. She’s charged with aggravated endangering a child for allegedly leaving her 2-month-old son alone in a stroller May 3 in an alley in the 1400 block of Columbia Avenue.

Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens reported at the time that Michaud appeared to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol the night of the incident.

The chief estimated the baby was in the alley, which was about three blocks from Michaud’s home, for at least three hours before he was found by an area resident.

Michaud was released in May on a $2,500 bond with the requirement that she be under the supervision of Court Services.

Michaud already was in custody when she appeared in court Wednesday morning. But District Judge Gunnar Sundby said at that point she was being held in the county jail in connection to a municipal court case.

During the hearing, Sundby took up a motion to revoke her bond with supervision in the child endangerment case.

“She’s had a very difficulty time on bond supervision,” said Michaud’s attorney, Elaine Halley.

Halley said her client is indigent and cannot pay the fees associated with bond supervision.

Sundby said he didn’t think payment was the issue. He said the issue was Michaud’s alleged abuse of drugs.

Halley noted that Michaud was accused of abusing prescription drugs.
Sundby estimated about 25 percent of the drug cases he sees involve prescription drugs.

According to Halley, the Guidance Center has a arranged an inpatient treatment program for Michaud and she is waiting for word that a bed is available.

“She just needs help,” Halley said.

The defense attorney requested that Michaud be released on her own recognizance.

Assistant County Attorney Cheryl Marquardt said Michaud had not been successful with bond supervision.

Marquardt said Michaud had been released on a reduced bond because it included bond supervision. The prosecutor requested the bond with supervision be discontinued and that Michaud have to pay the original bond amount in order to be released.

Marquardt said an own recognizance bond would not be appropriate.

Marquardt argued that having Michaud in custody would help protect the defendant. The prosecutor said if Michaud is clean while in jail, it may be beneficial to an eventual a treatment program.

Halley argued Michaud wasn’t a danger to anyone. The attorney said Michaud’s children aren’t living with her.

Sundby said he disagreed with Halley’s argument. He said if Michaud is having a drug problem, she is in danger.

The judge revoked the bond with supervision. Bond for Michaud is now set at $5,000.

Sundby said if a bed becomes available for a treatment program, he will consider having Michaud released for the program.

The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Sept. 5.

http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/news/x1733880476/Bond-revoked-for-mother-accused-of-endangering-her-baby