WABENO, Wis (WSAU) A mother from Wabeno is accused of covering up a child abuse incident involving her boyfriend. A Forest County judge ordered 25-year-old Jenifer Shepard to have no contact with the suspect - 29-year-old Brandon Burnette.
He is facing charges of 1st degree attempted homicide, physical abuse of a child, child neglect, and causing great bodily harm to a minor. Last October he claimed that he'd accidentally dropped a 1-year-old child on the floor. Doctors at St. Joseph's Hospital suspected it was a case of child abuse and notified police.
The baby's mother sent a text message while the baby was in intensive care. It said "as long as we keep our stories straight, we'll be ok." She's charged with obstructing an officer, child neglect, and failing to prevent great bodily harm.
The child is in protective custody.