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Prosecutor Seeks To Revoke Bond Of Mom In Child Neglect Case

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Kosciusko Circuit Judge Rex Reed is considering a motion to revoke the bond of Kristina Crooks, a North Webster woman charged in connection with her daughter's death.

Reed held a hearing Monday on the motion, filed by the Kosciusko County prosecutor's office in response to a motion filed in May by Crooks' attorney to relax the conditions of her bond. Crooks' motion was to allow her more freedom of movement, said her attorney, Jay Rigdon.

The court order for Crooks' bond requires her to remain at her parents' home except when she is working, seeking employment, undergoing counseling or consulting with her attorney.

Prosecutor David Kolbe said he asked Reed to revoke Crooks' bond after a witness reported seeing Crooks slap her 2-year-old daughter twice in the face.

The slapping incident allegedly happened more than two weeks ago, Rigdon said. No criminal charges have been filed, and there were no marks on the child's face.

Crooks was charged in the Jan. 24 death of her 11-month-old daughter, Lois Marie Ozenbaugh. An autopsy revealed Lois had ingested six cigarettes, and that she had Valium in her bloodstream at the time of her death.

Kolbe also said the date of the jury trial, which was scheduled to begin Oct. 27, will be changed because Crooks, who is pregnant, is due to have her baby around that time.

The new trial date is expected to be after Jan. 1.