BY EILEEN PERSIKE

Editor

A jury trial date has been set for the Rhinelander-area woman charged with first degree reckless homicide in the 2017 death of her toddler stepson.

Ellen L. Tran and her attorney, Jonas Bednarek, appeared in Oneida County Circuit Court along with district attorney Michael Schiek Thursday for a status conference. Bednarek stated the defense has notified the state of its expert witnesses. Judge Patrick O’Melia requested that both sides schedule pre-trial motions as soon as possible.

O’Melia set jury selection for Friday, Oct. 19, and a five-day trial Oct. 22-26.

Tran, 28, is accused of causing the death of 20-month old Avery J. Edwards April 17 in her town of Newbold home. An autopsy report conducted at the time by Dr. Dough Kelley of the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner’s Office indicated the boy died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The sheriff’s department report states Tran had been the only adult present when the alleged incident happened and she had been caring for the boy, as well as two other children. Tran told investigators Edwards fell in the shower, however, she could not remember how the fall occurred, according to the sheriff’s department report.

Trung T. Tran, Ellen Tran’s husband, was charged in Oneida County Court in September with felony child abuse and felony neglect. His next court appearance is May 16, for a motion hearing.

Ellen Tran remains free on a $50,000 cash bond. Trung Tran is free on a $10,000 cash bond.