The baby sitter charged with killing Paul Kingston's 17-month-old daughter, Rhoda, proclaimed her innocence outside a 3rd District courtroom today.
Michelle Afton Michaels, 26, is charged with second-degree child-abuse homicide in connection with Rhoda's January death following an alleged fall at Michaels' home.
Michaels told reporters she is being targeted by police and prosecutors because of her involvement with the Kingston polygamy clan.
"I have never hurt Rhoda, nor any other child," a tearful Michaels said, her voice trembling. "I am being unfairly discriminated against because of who I am."
Michaels described herself as a loving mother of five children, a licensed day-care provider and someone who enjoys taking care of children.
Inside the courtroom, defense attorney Carl Kingston successfully argued that Michaels' bail should be reduced from $100,000 to $50,000.
Carl Kingston said Michaels is not a flight risk and has long-standing family and community ties. He also announced that Michaels is six months pregnant with her sixth child.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Barton countered Carl Kingston's claims that $100,000 bail is "highly unusual" in a case such as this one. Barton expressed concerns that the courts process will be stressful for Michaels, who lives next door to Rhoda's family and, if released, will possibly be around children.
"The state does not know if she'll find herself in another situation like the one she's charged with," Barton said, adding that "the integrity of the process demands that she not have any contact" with Rhoda's family.
Michaels told police Rhoda's fatal injuries were caused by a fall from a kitchen chair when Michaels left the room to change her own child's diaper. Evidence will show that Rhoda's death was in fact an accident, Michaels said today.
Court documents, however, contain statements from Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Edward Leis, who ruled Rhoda's death as a homicide, citing a "Y"-shaped 4-inch fracture that branched off into a horseshoe shape toward the back of her skull.
Michaels will be back in court March 8 for a scheduling conference.