Continuance granted in child-abuse case

A woman accused of seriously abusing her 2-year-old daughter had her case continued Monday.

Amy Ellene Roberts, who is accused of eight second-degree felonies of child abuse/neglect, and one third-degree felony obstruction of justice, will appear before 3rd District Judge Sheila McCleve for a pretrial hearing and scheduling conference on Aug. 18.

Prosecuting attorney Angela Micklos requested the continuance because she said her office received more evidence from the crime lab recently and needs to review it.

Roberts and her live-in boyfriend were charged for allegedly beating, cutting, pouring toxic chemicals into the girl's eyes and knocking her teeth out.

Roberts took her daughter to St. Marks hospital on Jan. 8 at about 1 a.m. with severe injuries. The girl was so severely injured she was immediately taken to Primary Children's Medical Center.

Authorities say Roberts' story was inconsistent with the victim's injuries.

Her boyfriend, Derrick Lee Crispin, was also questioned and a search warrant was served on the house where they resided. Crispin was also charged with eight second-degree felony counts of child abuse/neglect and one third-degree felony obstruction of justice.

At the time, investigators said the child was the victim of one of the worst cases of abuse they had seen. She was hospitalized for two weeks and is living in someone else's care.