Nanny waives hearing in case of child shaking

Wednesday, March 16, 2005 | 8:48 a.m.

A 24-year-old Henderson nanny accused of child abuse opted Tuesday not to make an initial challenge of the case against her.

Bethany Ford waived her right to a preliminary hearing in which prosecutors would put on evidence to show Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr why the case should proceed to trial.

She is charged with two counts of felony child abuse for allegedly shaking 6-month-old Ryan Kuckler on Dec. 28, causing a skull fracture and acute bleeding in the brain.

Ryan remains under a doctor's care and his long-term prognosis remains uncertain, his mother said. The infant, who has some excess fluid on the brain, is scheduled for an ultrasound on Tuesday, said Paula Yakubik, Ryan's mother.

Ford is scheduled to be arraigned April 5 before District Judge Donald Mosley.

Kristen Lynch, Ford's public defender, said that despite waiving the hearing, her client plans to plead not guilty.

"Her biggest thing is she doesn't want to put the family through further trauma," Lynch said. "It is my job not to put her through trauma any more than necessary."

Lynch said the Clark County district attorney's office hasn't offered a plea bargain so far. Yakubik said prosecutors have told her the case will go to trial.

"I am anxious to get the trial going to get justice for Ryan," Yakubik said.

Tom Carroll, the chief deputy district attorney handling the case, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

A group of Henderson mothers, many of whom wore buttons Tuesday bearing a photo of Ryan and the words "Justice for Ryan," are lobbying the district attorney's office for a stiff sentence. One of the mothers, Jamie Greene, estimates she and other members of the group have sent between 300 and 500 letters to prosecutors.

The group plans a second letter campaign, but this time they will be sent to Mosley, Greene said.

"We want to let him know there are plenty of voting citizens who are waiting to see what type of sentence he hands down," Greene said.

Ford faces a sentence that could range between probation and up to 40 years in prison.

Lynch said Ford deserves probation, and she believes prosecutors will be fair. She said Ford is a good person who made a bad choice in one moment.

"I hope Bethany is not a poster child to make an example of," Lynch said. "But I don't think the press coming in on the case has anything to do with how it's prosecuted."

If there is no plea bargain, Lynch said the case will likely go to trial in the late fall.