LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- A woman accused of killing a six-year-old boy in Medary was in court Wednesday morning.
31-year-old Josie Dikeman is facing an intentional homicide charge for the death of Alexavier Pedrin. She’s also facing charges of chronic neglect of a child, physical abuse of a child and repeated acts of bodily harm.
On Wednesday morning, medical examiner Dr. Reade Quinton testified to a full courtroom about what he saw on a Pedrin's body.
“Cause of death in this case was blunt force trauma," said Quinton.
Dr. Quinton stated Pedrin had multiple bruises.
“I would say if you look at the totality of the face, scalp, neck – it’s well over 10, roughly 15 or so," he said.
According to the 16-page criminal complaint, investigators say Dikeman called 9-1-1 in February. When deputies arrived on the scene, Pedrin was on a bed, unresponsive. In his testimony, Dr. Quinton says Pedrin’s brain was swollen and there was a tear in his liver.
“So, there’s about a hundred milliliters of blood just free within his abdominal cavity. There was also a lot of hemorrhage and bleeding along the head of the pancreas," said Quinton.
Quinton says the Xanax in Pedrin’s system also contributed to his death.
“It’s a drug this child, as far as I’m aware, is not prescribed and should not be in his system," said Quinton.
Dikeman’s attorney argued that her bond should be waived because there are no direct witnesses that can testify Dikeman caused harm to Pedrin.
“There are no direct witnesses that will testify – who will testify claiming Ms. Dikeman was the individual who inflicted these injuries on the child in question," said attorney Chris Zachar.
Zachar also argued that Dikeman does not pose a risk to community members. District Attorney Tim Gruenke disagrees.
“To say she’s not a danger, I think, is false. She’s objectively a danger to children. Multiple children in her care have ended up with fractures, fallen down stairs, and a death," said Gruenke.
Judge Elliot Levine said there is enough evidence to keep bond at $1 million cash.
The preliminary hearing will continue on June 9.
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