Chetopan ordered tried for child abuse – Parsons Sun

A Labette County judge ordered a Chetopa man to stand trial for child abuse this week.

Christopher N. Gibbs, born in 1984, Chetopa, was ordered to stand trial in Labette County District Court for abuse of a child, a felony, criminal deprivation of property and domestic battery, both misdemeanors.

The charges relate to incidents Nov. 16 to 18, 2016, in Chetopa.

At a preliminary hearing on Monday, Gibbs estranged girlfriend testified about living with Gibbs in Chetopa from October to November 2016

Shed been with Gibbs from August to November that year and was trying to leave the relationship in mid-November.

On Nov. 16, 2016, Gibbs allegedly spanked the womans daughter, who was 16 months old at the time, so hard that he left his palm and finger prints on her buttocks and the bruising lasted for a couple of weeks. He spanked the girl for soiling her diaper instead of using the toilet. The mother had been potty training her daughter, who is not Gibbs biological daughter.

The woman testified that she called Chetopa police on Nov. 16, 2016, but didnt say anything when they arrived because Gibbs said he wasnt scared of shooting it out with police. Her daughter was still in the house as well.

On Nov. 18, 2016, she called Chetopa police again because Gibbs had taken her car.

While investigating the car theft, Chetopa Police Officer Tim Gilliland said the woman also discussed the alleged abuse of her daughter. He had the child removed from the home and placed in protective custody because the woman feared that Gibbs would return. The woman testified that she got her daughter back in five days.

After testimony, Judge Jeffry Jack ordered Gibbs to stand trial on the child abuse charge and the misdemeanors. Gibbs pleaded not guilty.

A jury trial is scheduled Jan. 16-17, 2018, and a hearing on pretrial motions is set for Dec. 6.

In other cases:

Sasha L. Bruner, 29, 21013 Ness Road, Parsons, pleaded not guilty to aggravated indecent liberties with a child and sexual exploitation of a child in Labette County District Court. Both charges are off-grid felonies that require long prison terms upon conviction. Her attorney also argued a motion to have a subpoena for Bruner to testify at criminal proceedings of co-defendant Jered Bybee, who faces more than 30 counts of similar charges and sexual exploitation of a child. Judge Jack denied the motion to quash the subpoena because Bruner could invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination from the witness stand. A jury trial is expected to start in Bruners case on Dec. 12. A preliminary hearing in Bybees case is set for Sept. 18.

Michael D. Ford, 43, of Parsons pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal threat, both level nine person felonies. The charges relate to incidents June 9, 2015, and Nov. 26, 2015. Sentencing will be Nov. 27.

Rex A. Rhoten, 26, of Chetopa waived his right to a preliminary hearing this week for aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Arraignment is set for Aug. 28.

Leanna C. Vincent, 37, of Parsons waived her right to a preliminary hearing this week on a charge of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school. Arraignment will be Aug. 28.

Zane A. Craft, born in 1998, Edna, is charged with criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied home, aggravated assault, both felonies, and three misdemeanors. Craft allegedly fired a .380-caliber handgun at 2827 North Blvd. on July 27 and threatened someone who lives there. He will return to court on Aug. 28.

Thomas M. Teal, born in 1977, 2218 Stevens, is charged with felony theft for taking a 1998 Ford Explorer on Aug. 6. He made a first court appearance this week and will return to court on Sept. 11.

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Chetopan ordered tried for child abuse - Parsons Sun