Beatrice woman pleads not guilty in son’s death, sexual assault of teen

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Beatrice woman pleaded not guilty on Monday in two felony cases.

Ashlen Zitel, 28, waived her preliminary hearings in Gage County Court, and the judge sent both cases to district court.

Zitel is charged in her 4-month-old son’s death and in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old.

SEE ALSO: Beatrice couple accused in baby’s death charged with sexual abuse in separate case

Police said her baby died on Aug. 15 while in the care of her boyfriend, Austin Meyn.

He laid the boy face down to limit his oxygen and get him to stop crying, according to court documents.

The boy stopped breathing, and first responders took him to a hospital, where he died.

An arrest affidavit says Zitel what her boyfriend was doing but did not question him.

An autopsy also found that the baby had “non-accidental trauma,” according to the affidavit, including broken ribs and bleeding in the brain.

SEE ALSO: Bond set at $1 million for Beatrice man accused in baby’s death

Zitel and Meyn are also accused of sexually assaulting a teenager between March and August.

The arrest affidavits in that case have been sealed.

Zitel faces three total felonies: negligent child abuse resulting in death, first-degree sexual assault of a child and intentional child abuse with no injury.

She is also charged with misdemeanor child abuse.

SEE ALSO: Southeast Nebraska couple charged with child abuse in baby’s death

Meyn is charged with three felonies: intentional child abuse resulting in death, first-degree sexual assault of a child and intentional child abuse with no injury.

He pleaded not guilty last month in Gage County District Court.

His next hearing is set for Thursday, when a judge will consider his motion to reconsider his $500,000 bond.

Zitel’s arraignment in district court is Dec. 18.