Thursday, April 4, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
The mother of a baby who was apparently murdered five years ago has been released from custody, leading to speculation she may testify against the father.
Lillian Meegan, 35, was ordered released Wednesday after John Lukens, Clark County deputy district attorney, told a court hearing she should be released on her own recognizance.
"In the interest of justice, it is no longer necessary to keep her incarcerated," Lukens said. "She is not a flight risk."
The mother was arrested last month and charged with child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm.
Her husband, James Meegan, 38, is charged with first-degree murder.
The couple allegedly sold their young baby, Francine, to a California couple in early 1990, then reneged on the deal and took her back. The baby was last seen alive months later and authorities believe the father killed the infant in a fit of anger.
The father and mother are scheduled to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court for a preliminary hearing April 11.
Lukens declined to say whether prosecutors had cut a deal with the mother in return for her testimony against her husband.
But when asked Wednesday about ongoing plea bargain discussions with the father, Lukens responded, "There are no longer any offers on the table ... as of this morning. This is a dynamic case and things change on a daily basis."
Lukens said the tedious process of DNA testing is continuing on the charred remains of an infant found in Arizona about the time of Francine's disappearance.
The parents were arrested last month after word surfaced that the girl had disappeared five years ago.
Francine Meegan was born Dec. 8, 1989. Police say Valerie and Dennis Jensen of Santa Ana, Calif., paid the Meegans to adopt the baby in early 1990. The Meegans reportedly reneged on the deal and demanded the baby back in September 1990, allegedly making threats against the Jensens if they failed to give up the child.
"The people in California have been wonderful," Lukens said of the Jensens. "They could not be more helpful."
Witnesses have told police that James Meegan became upset with the baby, left the family home, then returned without her.
Lillian Meegan told police the girl had been stolen from the couple's car in a casino parking lot. She said she did not report the abduction "because she was afraid of the scrutiny," according to court documents.
L. Meegan
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