Charges dropped against Koltyn’s mother
Tuolumne County Superior Court Judge Donald Segerstrom on Friday dismissed child abuse charges against the mother of Koltyn Sparksblackwood, a 23-month-old Waterford toddler who died in 2019 under suspicious cir- cumstances in Sonora.
Segerstrom said in his ruling that he did not believe the mother, Nicole Sparks, had shown an indifference to the life of her son, nor did she deliberately or negligently leave him in a situation where she could have reasonably assumed he was in danger.
“I recognize that the ultimate result in this case is tragic,” he said. “I cannot conclude the people have shown probable cause.”
The ruling came days after the conclusion of a fourday preliminary hearing, a court proceeding where a judge determines if a case has enough evidence to go to trial, which resulted in Sparks’ former boyfriend, Joseph Maloney, having murder charges upheld against him.
Segerstrom had postponed a ruling on Sparks to review case law and
provide a “deliberative” response to the charge of felony child endangerment under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death, which carried a maximum of up to six years in prison if convicted.
Sparks, joined by a woman who cried after the ruling was declared, declined to comment after the hearing. She asked her attorney, David Beyersdorf of Sonora, to speak on her behalf.
“This should put to rest anyone’s doubt that she did anything other than be a good mother and take care of her baby,” Beyersdorf said. “We believe the charges never should have been filed.”
Beyersdorf said his client was grateful to the court for the “thorough and thoughtful examination of the evidence,” but he could not comment on the charges against Maloney.
Tuolumne County Deputy District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke, who prosecuted the case, declined to comment.
Members of Koltyn’s family who were present during the hearing also declined to comment.
Segerstrom outlined a series of court cases he reviewed in order to reach his ruling. He said his understanding of the relevant child abuse laws led to his conclusion that the prosecution had to show Sparks deliberately permitted her child to be in a dangerous situation where injury or death was likely.
At the time, Sparks was in a romantic relationship with Maloney. Segerstrom noted, though they had disagreed over parenting and discipline styles, she had left Koltyn in his care recently with no incidents.
“The court can’t say that,” Segerstrom said. “She’s in a relationship with this guy. She’s pregnant with his child. I’m sure she’s hoping they’re going to have a life together.”
Text message communication between Maloney and Sparks on the day before Koltyn’s death indicated she was concerned about his condition and believed him to be asleep when she returned to Maloney’s home on South Shepherd Street after working a shift at Chicken Ranch Casino in Jamestown.
“There’s nothing in those texts … to indicate that Koltyn is in any way in danger,” Segerstrom said.
At the conclusion of the hearing Segerstrom noted the prosecution had “remedies” related to the ruling.
“I don’t need to tell you what they are,” he said.
Maloney has an arraignment on the information, a hearing where he will again enter a plea, for 1:15 p.m. March 19 in Department 1 of the Tuolumne County Superior Court.
Segerstrom ruled on Tuesday that a trial could move forward for Maloney, who is accused by the District Attorney’s Office of second-degree murder, assault on a child causing death, child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury, and an enhancement of causing great bodily injury to a child under age 5. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Testimony in the preliminary hearing concluded just after 9 a.m. Tuesday. The prosecution had called three doctors, one Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputy, and three additional law enforcement officers who were with the Sonora Police Department at the time of Koltyn’s death to testify.
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maybe
15 “Y Is for Yesterday” sleuth Millhone
16 One skilled at
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17 __ of: address
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Bergen puppet 20 8-Down, e.g. 21 Impish
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25 Elect
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for payment 31 Driver’s aid 32 Legal show for 40 years, with “The” 36 Youngest-ever “Time” Person of the Year 39 Formal seizure 41 Tyke
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briefly 58 President, at
times
59 “__ Wins By a Hare”: Bugs Bunny cartoon 60 Dog on a bun 61 Throw that anticipates the receiver’s timely arrival
62 Puck
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4 Nicholas II et al. 5 Round up
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that good!” 43 Italian playhouse 48 Pulitzer-winning “The Goldfinch” novelist Donna 50 Inches
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