Beatrice couple accused in baby’s death charged with sexual abuse in separate case
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Beatrice couple accused of child abuse in a baby’s death are facing more felony charges in a separate case.
On Tuesday, prosecutors charged Austin Meyn, 27, and Ashlen Zitel, 28, with first-degree sexual assault of a child and intentional child abuse with no injury.
Court documents say that between March and August, they sexually assaulted a 15-year-old.
Their first court appearance in that case has not been set.
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Meyn and Zitel have been in jail since September in connection with a fatal child abuse case.
On Aug. 15, police said Meyn intentionally limited a 4-month-old baby’s oxygen by laying him face down on a bed.
He was trying to stop the boy’s crying, according to an arrest affidavit.
Court documents say Zitel, the baby’s mother, didn’t question his methods.
SEE ALSO: Southeast Nebraska couple charged with child abuse in baby’s death
Police said an autopsy found that the baby also had broken ribs and bleeding in the brain consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
Meyn is charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death in that case. Zitel is facing charges of negligent child abuse resulting in death and negligent child abuse with no injury.
On Wednesday, Gage County Judge Jeffrey Gaertig ruled that there is enough evidence to try Meyn and sent the case to district court.
Meyn is set to be arraigned in Gage County District Court on Nov. 13.
Zitel is due back in court Tuesday.
