Woman accused in child’s death will get out on bond

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A judge has ordered that a Jefferson City woman accused of contributing to the death of a 4-year-old boy be released from jail.

Cole County Judge Jon Beetem ruled Monday that 26-year-old Quatavia Givens couldn’t meet her bond, and does not appear to be a danger to the community or a risk of committing more crimes. She has pleaded not guilty to abuse of a child.

Givens will be required to post $5,000 bond and meet several other conditions for release, including wearing an ankle monitor.

Prosecutors say Darnell Gray was fatally injured while Givens was babysitting him in October 2018. She reported the boy missing and suggested he might have been abducted. His body was found a week later.

Authorities say Givens later admitted she injured the boy. An autopsy showed he suffered blunt force trauma.