Cheyney released on $20k bond

Trey Cheyney, 21, of Ogallala, was released from jail on Thursday, Oct. 4 after posting 10 percent of the $200,000 bond.

Cheyney was arrested in Grant on Sept. 20 and charged with two class 2 felonies of committing child abuse and first-degree assault. On Sept. 8, the 15-month-old child in Cheyney’s care suffered critical head injuries after Cheyney said he fell from a high chair at their home in Venango. 

Bond, which was originally set at $500,000, was reduced to $200,000 after a request by Cheyney’s temporary attorney Kristi Hilliard on Sept. 25. 

Cheyney’s arraignment was held in Perkins County Court on Oct. 3. Michael Snyder, who appeared on behalf of Hilliard, stated the family did not have the resources to post the $20,000 bond. He said he was informed they could post $5,000, and asked if the court would consider reducing bond. 

Judge Edward Steenburg asked the State’s position, to which Deputy County Attorney Gary Burke stated there had already been one significant bond reduction and they opposed any further bond reduction. 

Judge Steenburg continued the bond at $200,000, which was posted at 10 percent the following day.  

Conditions to bond include GPS monitoring and no unsupervised contact with anyone under age 14. Cheyney must also pay all fees and expenses required by the GPS monitoring provider, which include $20/day for the device. 

Kelly S. Breen of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy was appointed to represent Cheyney at the request of the defendant. The Commission accepts court appointments to represent indigent defendants who have been charged with a high-grade felony at no cost to the county. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in Perkins County Court for Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. 

The injured child remains hospitalized in Denver.