Shell’s Bond Reduction Request Continued
A Warsaw woman accused of abusing two young children was in court this morning in an attempt to have her bond reduced so she can get out of jail.
Without ever appearing before the judge, however, Shell was escorted out of the courtroom. According to deputy prosecutor Karen McGrath, her request was not heard because Shell cannot show she has a permanent address.
Sherri Faye Shell, 35, was arrested Oct. 8 and arraigned on Oct. 11 on two Class D felony charges of battery to a person less than 14 years of age by a person at least 18 years of age. Each charge carries a term of imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Shell admitted to Warsaw Police Detective Lee Ann Roby that she used “excessive force” in disciplining two children – ages 6 and 7 years old – which resulted in their injuries. (See related story).
During her Oct. 11 arraignment, Shell asked Kosciusko Superior Court II Judge James Jarrette for a public defender and a bond reduction. She has been incarcerated in the Kosciusko County Jail since her arrest. Her bond was set at $2,500 cash, meaning that full amount would need to be paid for her to be released from jail.
In the initial response to the request, Kosciusko County Prosecutor Dan Hampton called Shell’s bond “reasonable” and said he would need to see paperwork from her attorney “asking to see why she should have a reduced bond.”
Shell said she wanted a reduced bond so that she can get the medical treatment she needs but cannot get in jail. She said in court at that time that she no longer resided at the address the court had on file and just went “from friend to friend.”
Shell’s bond reduction hearing will be re-scheduled when she can establish a permanent address.