PROVO — Problems have gotten worse for a Provo woman who, along with her husband, is accused of severe physical and sexual abuse of her two sons.
Authorities in Weber County last week arrested 34-year-old Shelly Huynh in Riverdale, along with her boyfriend, Michael Marsh, 35, who has worked as a caseworker for the Division of Child and Family Services. DCFS officials said Marsh was not involved with the Huynh case, however.
Weber County prosecutors allege that Huynh and Marsh passed some $86,000 in bad checks to a car dealership. When Huynh was arrested, Riverdale police reported Huynh gave them the name of Shelly Ann Snow, but documentation revealed her other surname.
Huynh and her husband, Chay Huynh, currently face charges of two first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child; three second-degree felony counts of child physical abuse; one count of first-degree felony sodomy; and one third-degree felony count of child abuse. Prosecutors in Utah County allege the couple abused their two sons by yanking out their molars and shutting them in the basement for days without food, water and access to a toilet. One boy alleged his father took pliers to his genitals, which later required corrective surgery. The other son alleged his mother forced him to breast-feed when he was 10.
Shelly Huynh was scheduled to stand trial in June, but in 4th District Court Wednesday morning, her attorney announced he was withdrawing from the case.
Bradley Rich cited a list of ongoing problems with Shelly Huynh, including receiving bad checks from her. Rich also said his law firm's letterhead had been used to draft documents involved in the check fraud case in Weber County.
Rich said his firm is now considered a witness to the check case, creating a conflict of interest. Judge Fred Howard granted Rich's motion to withdraw.
News of Shelly Huynh's recent arrest came as little surprise to deputy Utah County attorney Mariane O'Bryant.
"I'm surprised they let her out of jail," O'Bryant said. "She still has an outstanding warrant in Utah County for probation violation."
Even before the abuse charges, Shelly Huynh was placed on probation for writing bad checks between 1991 and 2000. She was also sentenced on an arson charge for allegedly setting fire to her family's home in an apparent insurance fraud scheme.
Howard asked why Shelly Huynh had not appeared for her hearing Wednesday. Rich said his former client was "alleging medical problems and being ordered to bed rest by a physician" — none of which Rich said he could confirm.
O'Bryant said Huynh has a history of citing medical problems as a reason not to show for court. Howard issued a warrant for Huynh's arrest.
O'Bryant said given Huynh's latest arrest and withdrawal of counsel, chances of seeing the child abuse case go to trial anytime soon are slim.
Chay Huynh remains in the Utah County Jail pending his trial, which is scheduled for June.
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