Dad charged with abusing 9-week-old daughter waives prelim (Omaha, Nebraska)

Dad MICHAEL V. VALDEZ has waived his preliminary hearing in this matter...but where is mom?

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.theindependent.com/articles/2011/05/20/news/local/13390981.txt

Father charged with abusing infant waives prelim
By Sarah Schulz
sarah.schulz@theindependent.com
Published: Friday, May 20, 2011 6:16 PM CDT

A father charged with abusing his 9-week-old daughter has waived his preliminary hearing.

Michael V. Valdez, 38, of 1511 N. Huston Ave., is now scheduled for arraignment in Hall County District Court at 9 a.m. June 7. His case was bound over from county court Thursday.

He is charged with two counts of felony child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury for incidents that occurred on April 1, April 10 and April 18. The charges were filed on April 21 after Valdez was arrested in Omaha.

The baby, who was born Feb. 11, was being treated at Children's Hospital in Omaha for retinal hemorrhaging and fluid and blood on her brain, Deputy Hall County Attorney Gail VerMaas said at Valdez's initial court appearance. The baby's long-term prognosis was unclear at that time.

VerMaas also said Valdez had admitted "to hitting the child in the head, causing the injury."

He had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 23.

His bond of 10 percent of $250,000 was posted April 22.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for each count.