Hearing delayed for Algoma woman accused of neglect in drowning of infant daughter

KEWAUNEE - A hearing for an Algoma woman facing charges for the bathtub drowning of her 7-month-old daughter as well as drug-related charges was recessed until April 15 because she doesn't yet have an attorney.

Cheyanne J. Wierichs, 23, is charged with child neglect resulting in death, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. Those charges were filed Feb. 22 by District Attorney Andrew Naze following Wierichs' arrest by Algoma police officers Feb. 15.

The incident resulting in the charges happened Feb. 9 when, according to the criminal complaint, Algoma officers responded to a call at an apartment in the 400 block of Fourth Avenue for an infant who had no pulse and was not breathing. Attempts by an officer and later Algoma Fire and Rescue personnel to revive the infant, Wierichs' 7-month-old daughter, were unsuccessful.

Wierichs initially told officers she put her two children in a bath and went to do some work in the kitchen for a few minutes, finding the infant was drowning when she returned.

Later, though, the complaint said Wierichs changed her story and told investigators she watched some videos on YouTube while the children were in the bath, then left the bathroom for a few minutes to hook up her phone to a speaker. After listening to an entire song, she heard splashing from the bathroom and returned to find the drowning infant.

A search warrant executed in the apartment turned up meth and related paraphernalia.

Wierichs made her initial appearance in Kewaunee County Circuit Court Thursday, Feb. 25, but attorney Amanda Toonen said because the charges weren't filed until a few days prior and related paperwork for Wierichs had just been submitted, a public defender hadn't yet been assigned for her. Toonen asked for a recess for 45 to 60 days, which was granted by Judge Keith Mehn.

Wierichs remains free on a $25,000 signature bond.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Hearing delayed for Algoma woman accused of neglect in drowning of infant daughter