A Cozad woman accused of Felony Child Abuse involving her infant son was arraigned on the charge in Dawson County District Court Friday. Carson Haynes was 3-months-old when he died on March 7, 2024. But before his death, 20-year-old Jasmine Hopkins is accused of being aware of severe burns to about half of Carson’s body. In Court, Chief Deputy Dawson County Attorney Garrett Goodwin said those burns could have been treated but, was neglected. He also said there was “evidence of chronic abuse throughout the child’s life.”
Hopkins pled not guilty to the charge of Felony Child Abuse Resulting in Injury. District Judge Patrick Heng did not set a trial date but, set a status hearing on the case preparation for June 21, 2024 at 10:00am.
Hopkins is being held in the Dawson County Jail on $250,000 bond, 10%. Attorney Chevas Shaw asked for a bond reduction saying Hopkins “has no ability to pay anything even approaching that number”. After attorney statements, Judge Heng then lowered her bond to $100,000. She could be released of 10% of that amount is posted for her.
According to an arrest affidavit, a few days after the baby was hospitalized on February 14, 2024; Hopkins was interviewed by a Dawson County Sheriff’s investigator about pictures of injuries on the baby’s back. The investigator believed the pictures depicted second or third degree burns on his entire back, butt and the back of his neck. In an interview, Hopkins alleged the baby was in the shower with her boyfriend and baby’s father, Draven Haynes, when he handed her the baby. About 10 to 15 minutes later, blisters started appearing on the baby’s back. Hopkins said she wanted to take the baby to the hospital for treatment but, acquiesced to Haynes’ insistence that they not do that. Hopkins then treated the burns with antibiotic ointment, burn cream and gauze but, never took him to the hospital.
Carson’s father and Hopkins’ boyfriend, Draven Haynes of Cozad, has pled not guilty to charges of Committing Child Abuse Intentionally Resulting in Death and Intentional Child Abuse Resulting in Injury.
Haynes, age 23, is currently undergoing a psychological evaluation to determine his competency to participate in further court proceedings and to determine his state of mind at the time the alleged crimes were committed.
