Two appear in court on child abuse counts

BENTON, Mo. -- A Chaffee, Mo., couple charged with fracturing the skull of their infant daughter appeared Wednesday before Associate Circuit Judge David Mann.

Susan Cabiness, 34, was ordered to stand trial in circuit court after waiving her preliminary hearing. Mann also agreed to lower her bond from $100,000 to $5,000 following her brief court appearance.

Susan Cabiness is charged with two felony counts of child abuse. One count alleges she caused the skull fractures, and the second charges that she negligently failed to protect her child from injury and has a previous conviction for endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, she faces up to 22 years in prison.

During discussion of the case with Mann, assistant Scott County prosecutor Jason Denney said plea negotiations are underway and he expects to make "a lengthy probation offer."

Jeffrey Cabiness, 45, faces a single count of child abuse. During his appearance in court, Mann set a preliminary hearing on the allegations for July 19.