Women to get bail hearing

A pair of women facing charges in a child-abuse case — including attempted murder — will have a bail hearing in February.

The identities of the two women, ages 24 and 23, are protected by a courtordered publication ban, as are the identities of the five children they are alleged to have abused.

The case first appeared in Edmonton provincial court in December. According to court records, the alleged offences against the children took place between July 1 and Dec. 16, 2017.

The 24-year-old faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, two counts of abandoning a child, five counts of unlawful confinement, two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and two counts of failure to provide the necessities of life.

The 23-year-old is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, two counts of abandoning a child, five counts of unlawful confinement, two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and two counts of assault with a weapon. The weapon used in the alleged assaults was a belt, said court records.

On Monday, only the 24-year-old appeared in court via video conferencing from a correctional facility. She stood silently, only speaking to confirm her identity. The other woman’s lawyer addressed the court on behalf of both accused.

Both women were ordered to appear at a bail hearing scheduled for Feb. 22.