BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Cassandra Peterman, 21, of Bucyrus was arraigned in the Crawford County Common Pleas on Wednesday morning.
Peterman is charged with one count of child endangering, a third-degree felony, punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Dan Stanley, the charge is a result of Children’s Services being given access to a video taken by the person who lived with Peterman and her husband.
In the video, Peterman can be seen and heard screaming at the child to shut up and stop crying.
According to Stanley there is evidence that during that episode, she tried to strangle her husband.
Stanley told the court that there is no visible evidence that the child suffered lasting physical damage or broken bones but further testing is being done to conclude if there are healed injuries and brain scans to determine any neurological damage.
Stanley asked the court for a mental health evaluation on Peterman.
Judge Leuthold agreed:
“It is my job to put the pieces together.” Leuthold said.
He then ordered a mental evaluation to be conducted on Peterman at the jail.
“Until I see a mental health evaluation, I’m not taking any chances. I must protect the child and the defendant herself.” Leuthold said.
Leuthold appointed attorney Kenzie Garverick to defend Peterman. Bond was set at $100,000.
Leuthold told the court he would be willing to revisit bond and consider other options such as house arrest after he gets the mental assessment on Peterman.