Preliminary hearing held in child abuse case
HARTINGTON — A Hartington man’s case proceeded to Cedar County District Court after a preliminary hearing in the lower county court last week.
Timothy Lueth, 42, had charges of intentional child abuse and assault by strangulation — both felonies — bound over to district court after Judge Thomas Klein found probable cause.
The charges stem from a March 20 incident in a Hartington home. According to court records, the victim and two other children were at a home with Lueth when he found her in a closet, grabbed her by the neck and threw her down. She indicated it was hard for her to breathe and witnesses said she was coughing.
One of the witnesses said Lueth lifted the girl up high enough by her neck that her feet were not touching the ground.
The girl received medical attention after the alleged assault and police were called in to investigate. Lueth’s next court date was set for later this month.
In other court news, a Laurel woman accused of using a credit card without permission has pleaded guilty to some charges as part of a plea agreement.
Teri Fettig, 39, pleaded guilty to intentional abuse of a vulnerable adult, a felony, and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, a misdemeanor. A third charge against her was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Fettig worked as a medication aide at a Wayne assisted living facility and used an elderly resident’s credit card without her permission. Fraudulent transactions occurred on a dozen occasions at businesses in Wayne.
According to court documents, Fettig told police that the resident had given her permission to use the card to purchase items. However, the resident and power of attorney denied this claim. Through the investigation, law enforcement learned oftentimes, an employee may go with a resident to purchase items but it is very rare for an employee to purchase items alone and for transaction amounts to be more than $50. Law enforcement were able to obtain surveillance video, which allegedly shows Fettig making purchases.
The county attorney’s office stated they would not oppose a concurrent sentence in Fettig’s case. However, the court is not bound by the plea agreement and can sentence Fettig under the range of possible penalties — up to three years in prison for the felony and up to one year in prison for the misdemeanor. There is no minimum penalty for her crimes. Fettig is to be sentenced in October.