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A Syracuse woman charged with the murder of her stepson is free on bond.
Sherrie Cusick was released from Kosciusko County Jail Wednesday after posting a percentage of the $10,000 bond. Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed reversed the initial ruling of holding her without bond earlier Wednesday.
A grand jury indicted Cusick of the murder of Anthony Cusick, her 7-year-old stepson, on Nov. 23, 1996. Cusick is scheduled to stand trial beginning July 27.
Anthony was found dead in a closet in the Cusick home after a coat in the closet caught on fire. Sherrie was the only adult home at the time of the fire.
The cause of Anthony's death was ruled carbon monoxide toxicity. Police intially said Anthony had been striking matches in the closet and died when he was overcome by smoke from the smoldering coat.
Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe in February turned the case over to the grand jury, which responded with the indictment.
The case against Cusick remains largely circumstantial. According to police documents, fire investigators did not find a striker for two paper matches, one inside the closet and the other outside, and the door to the closet could not be locked.
Anthony was the son of Cusick's husband Richard. His daughter Kaelie died in August 1996 after a fall down stairs at the home. Sherrie was not charged in that case.
Sherrie is the mother of four children, including a son born in January.
