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Crime & Safety

Mother of Slain Columbia Toddler To Face April Trial on Abuse, Assault Charges

Joaquinia LaJeuness is set to appear before a jury on April 10.

The mother of a 3-year-old boy who police said was killed in his home nearly a year ago, will stand trial on April 10 on of child abuse and one count of assault.

The charges are for abuse police said occurred in November of 2010.

Joaquinia LaJeuness, 28, the mother of Elijah LaJeuness, the 3-year-old boy whose killing at his Columbia home has gone unsolved for almost nine months, appeared in Ellicott City's Circuit County Courthouse Thursday morning during a scheduling hearing that was presided over by Judge Louis Becker.  

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LaJeuness, whom police said did not cooperate in the investigation of her son’s death, is charged with two counts of second-degree child abuse and one count of second-degree assault. She also is charged with contributing to acts and omission, according to court records

Howard County police have said that the Department of Social Services received a report on Nov. 3, 2010 that Elijah LaJeuness, then 2, had marks and bruises on his face. A doctor's review said the injuries were not accidental.

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During the Thursday hearing, a motions date was set for March 23 while a jury trial date has been set for April 10. 

Defense Attorney Louis Willemin also requested that prior to the trial date, LaJeuness, who has been released on bail, be allowed to leave the state to pick up her car, which she left in Ohio. 

Judge Becker granted the request. 

According to the clerk's office, no plea has yet been entered in the case. 

LaJeuness was found unresponsive and not breathing in his home, according to police. Police said three people were in the house at the 9600 block of Basket Ring Road in Columbia -- his mother, her boyfriend at the time and an 8-year-old sibling. The child was taken to where he was pronounced dead, according to records.

Details of the case were released by police July 28. The death was ruled homicide by asphyxia.

See our past coverage of the Elijah LaJeuness case:

  

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