Trial ordered for mother accused of sex crimes

A Douglas County district judge on Thursday ordered a Baldwin City woman to stand trial on charges alleging sex crimes against children – including her 3-year-old son.

Judge Jack Murphy set arraignment for March 3 for the 28-year-old woman. She is charged with two counts of aggravated endangering a child under 18, aggravated indecent liberties with a child under 14 and sexual exploitation of a child under 18. The incidents allegedly occurred last year.

During a preliminary hearing Thursday, Lawrence police detective Michael Verbanic outlined evidence he had alleging the woman performed sex acts on her young son while her boyfriend watched over an Internet Web camera and gave her directions on a cell phone.

A 14-year-old girl who was the boyfriend’s daughter also testified that the woman knew that the man was sexually abusing her. Last year, the boyfriend pleaded no contest to three counts of rape. He will be sentenced next month.

During the woman’s arraignment, she can enter a plea to the charges and a trial date can be set.