The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

For the second month in a row, Judge Kimbra L. Killin granted an extension in court proceedings for Julie R. Thayer. Thayer appeared in Phillips County Court on Thursday, Dec. 2 via WebEx technology. She has yet to officially appear in court in person on charges of child abuse and assault.

In the latest hearing, Thayer’s lawyer, Justine Nicol, said she and her client have been in contact with representation from the 13th Judicial District about an offer in the case.

Last month, it was noted that the State offered Thayer a deal and at that time, Thayer and her lawyer had not yet had a chance to review the offer in great detail. Now, Nicol said she and the DA’s office have been in contact for clarification but a decision to accept the deal or not had not been reached by her client.

Judge Killin set the case over for another month. Should the deal not be accepted and a disposition hearing take place in January, Killin said Thayer should appear in court while her representation could appear via WebEx.

Thayer faces two charges of assault in the third degree and two charges of child abuse. She is the former childcare director of the Haxtun Community Childcare Center. Charges in the case stem from in incident at the center several months ago.

Thayer’s next appearance in Phillips County Court is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. in Holyoke.