Mother and Partner Will Stand Trial for Abuse Charges

By Scott Sarvay

June 19, 2012 Updated Jun 20, 2012 at 7:31 AM EDT

Fort Wayne, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - 23-year-old Nichole Gruss was in court Tuesday morning, where a judge decided she'll stand trial November 15th and 16th for felony neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and neglect of a dependent, where the child was put in a situation endangering its health.

Police say Gruss's three-year-old son had broken bones, bruises and scars from her and her girlfriend.

Reports show the abuse taking place at a residence on Priscilla Lane.

Doctors say the boy had broken bones, fractures, scars on his butt and injuries to his head.

Gruss's partner, 31-year-old Tawoenya Portee, is charged with three felonies, including battery with a deadly weapon and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, in the case of the three-year-old, who says Portee beat him with shoes, a belt and a bat.

Her trial is scheduled to begin in August.




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