Palisade women appeals

TRENTON -- The Palisade mother found guilty in October of beating her baby son and sentenced to 7-10 years in prison filed a notice of appeal Monday in Hitchcock County district court in Trenton.

Renae M. McDaniel, 24, started serving her sentence for felony child abuse Nov. 12, in Nebraska's women's correctional facility in York.

In a request for an appeal bond also filed Monday, McDaniel states she is 3 1/2 months pregnant. Hitchcock County District Judge John Battershell will hear McDaniel's request for bond Thursday at 3 p.m. If bond is approved, McDaniel would be released as she pursues the appeal.

McDaniel states, if she is released, she will live with her mother and seek employment with her aunt, in Hitchcock County.

On McDaniel's behalf, Nancy K. Peterson of Lincoln, an attorney with the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, requested transcripts of motions hearings, the trial, pre-sentence investigation and sentencing. Because McDaniel indicates she is unable to pay fees and costs, Hitchcock County is required, by state statute, to provide these transcripts at no cost, and to pay fees, such as witness or printing fees, associated with the appeal.

Court records in Trenton indicate the notice of appeal was mailed Dec. 5 to Don Stenburg, Nebraska Attorney General.