Trials scheduled in Child Abuse Case.

Wilbur Jacob "Jake" Cox of Blue Hill has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first degree assault and child abuse causing injury. Webster County District Judge Stephen Illingsworth found probable cause for the charges after a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, October 13, 2010. Wilbur Cox's trial has been scheduled for January 10th, 2011. February 26th 2010 during a preliminary hearing Webster County Court Judge Michael Offner. heard testimoney regarding the Cox's nine week old daughter's injuries that required her treatment in the emergency room at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings. Wilbur Cox and his wife Jessica Cox both face a charge of child abuse that resuted in serious bodily injury to their infant daughter who was born November 26, 2009. January 30, 2010 she was taken to the emergency room at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings by her parents because she was coughing up blood. In Mary Lanning emergency room doctors treated the infant and installed a breathing tube . Officials at Mary Lanning contacted Hastings Police who in turn contacted the Webster County Sheriff's department. Officer Ron Sunday responded from Webster County. Officer Sunday and Hastings Police officer Steven Murphy were advised by hospital personell that the baby had other injuries including broken ribs and bruises on her back. While the baby was taken by ambulance to Hastings airport and then life flighted to Children's Hospital in Omaha authorities interrogated the parents. Jessica Cox reportedly told officers that she and the baby's father had pulled on the baby during an argument in such a way that they might have injured the baby. She also said she had tossed the baby into he air during play time and this possibly might have injured her. The parents also reported that Wilbur Jacob Cox's three year old daughter from a previous relationship might have hugged the baby too hard. After the baby was examined by a child abuse pediatrician in Children's hospital in Omaha she was found to have a skull fracture, seven broken ribs and both shin bones in the baby's legs were broken. Some of her injuries were in the process of healing. The baby had surgery performed at Children's hospital to repair damage done to the back of her throad that cut her carotid artery. A medical report submitted to the court stated the baby's injuries were consistent with non-accidental trauma. The infant had been cared for by only Jake and Jessica Cox, no day care had been involved. No one else is suspected of inflicting the injuries on the baby. Jessica Cox was represented by Attorney Michael Mead and Jake Cox was represented by Attorney Don Theobald. Mead agrued that no evidence was presented that pointed at who caused the baby's injuries. He also questioned whether the Coxes had been read their Miranda rights so anything said should not be used against them. Child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury is a class 3 Felony punishable by up to 20 years inprisonment and a $25,000 fine. Jessica Cox has been charged with child abuse resulting in serious badily injury. Her trial is scheduled for December 22 aat 9:30 A. M. First Degree assault is a class 2 felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison. Since being dismissed from the hospital the baby was taken into custody of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.