BEATRICE – The Gage County Attorney’s Office has filed an amended complaint against one of two people charged in the recent death of a four-month-old infant. 

A preliminary hearing was held Wednesday morning in Gage County Court on a lone charge remaining against 27-year-old Austin Meyn.  He faces a felony charge of committing intentional child abuse, resulting in death. Prosecutors dismissed a charge filed earlier…..that of committing negligent child abuse resulting in death.

Beatrice Police Investigations Unit chief Erin Byrne was the lone witness called in the preliminary hearing before Judge Jeff Gaertig.

Police and Beatrice Fire the Rescue were called to a Herbert Street home last August 15th, where an unresponsive infant was taken to Beatrice Community Hospital and died.  Police arrested Meyn and the child’s biological mother, Ashlen Zitel, in early September.

Byrne’s testimony indicated that Meyn was taking care of the infant while the child’s mother was at work, and did not call 9-1-1 upon finding the baby unresponsive….but instead, called Zitel.  Police discovered that the infant had several bruises to the face and head area along with scratches.   An autopsy also discovered broken ribs.  Investigators have said the child’s death was consistent with shaken baby syndrome.  During questioning, Meyn allegedly told police he placed the child face down on a mattress after the baby had been crying.

Part of the investigation involved a search warrant and a review of phone records and texts between Meyn and Zitel, indicating that Meyn had been frustrated by the infant’s crying

The preliminary finding of the autopsy indicated the child’s death was caused by “non-accidental trauma”.

Judge Gaertig ordered that Meyn be bound over to Gage County District Court, where he will be arraigned November 13th.