Separate Trials Ordered In Death Of Dewey Toddler

A judge has ordered separate trials for a Dewey man and his mother accused in the death of a 15-month-old girl.

A Washington County judge severed the cases of Marcus Mitchell and his mother, Juanchellee Fitch. The two are charged in the death of Emma Beth Warmberodt.

Dewey police began investigating in February 2012, after emergency responders found Emma unresponsive at a residence. Police say the toddler had bruises in various stages of healing all over her body.

Mitchell was the toddler's stepfather. He's charged with first-degree murder involving the death of a child, three counts of child neglect, three counts of possession of controlled dangerous substances and a single count of possession of paraphernalia.

Fitch is charged with child neglect, enabling child abuse and being an accessory after the fact.

Marcus Mitchell is set to go to trial January 28, Juanchellee Fitch's trial is set to begin February 11.

The child's mother, Ashley Mitchell, waived her right to a jury trial and will enter a plea Friday. She is charged with two counts of child neglect, one count each of enabling child abuse by injury, child neglect with exposure of child to drugs and failure to bring a child to treatment.

All three were bound over for trial in October 2012.

10/3/2012 Related Story: Dewey Trio Ordered To Stand Trial In Death Of Toddler