Trial set for dad charged with abusing 9-week-old daughter (Omaha, Nebraska)

We've reported on dad MICHAEL V. VALDEZ before. Why is there still NO MENTION of this baby's mother? There had to have been a mother in the picture nine weeks before the baby was abused, as it takes a mother to give birth. But it's as if she never existed....

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.theindependent.com/articles/2011/06/07/news/local/13471350.txt

October trial set for man charged with abusing infant
By Sarah Schulz
sarah.schulz@theindependent.com
Published: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 9:25 PM CDT

A father charged with abusing his 9-week-old daughter is scheduled for trial in October.

Michael V. Valdez, 38, of 1511 N. Huston Ave., pleaded not guilty in Hall County District Court Tuesday to two counts of felony child abuse for incidents that occurred on April 1, April 10 and April 18.

His pretrial is scheduled for Aug. 1, with an October trial to follow.

Valdez was originally charged with two Class 3 felonies, but the charges were amended to Class 2 felonies, which each carry a penalty of up to 50 years in prison. Conviction of a Class 3 felony can bring up to 20 years in prison.

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 admitted "to hitting the child in the head, causing the injury."

His bond of 10 percent of $250,000 was posted April 22. It has since been lowered.