Macayla Jo Armstrong made her first court appearance Tuesday before Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart. Armstrong told the judge she would apply for legal representation by a public defender. Judge Marquart scheduled Armstrong’s probable-cause hearing January 9.
In court documents, police investigators say the 22-year-old failed to provide health and sanitary living conditions, food, nourishment and medical care for the baby, which they say resulted in his death. Charges were filed December 13, and Armstrong was arrested the following day.
Armstrong remains in custody in the Buchanan County Jail, unable to post $50,000 bond.