Nanny accused of child abuse in Redlands set to stand trial

Leticia Juarez Image
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Nanny accused of child abuse in Redlands set to stand trial
A nanny accused of abusing a 22-month-old Redlands boy appeared in court Wednesday and was told to stand trial.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A nanny accused of abusing a 22-month-old Redlands boy appeared in court Wednesday and was told to stand trial.

Gina Halliburton had agreed to plead guilty to the crime in exchange for four years probation, but San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge William J. Powell made a different decision.

In video caught on a nanny camera, Halliburton is shown stuffing a bib into the mouth of Preston Scott. His mother Shawna Scott and her family appeared in court expecting Halliburton to be sentenced.

Powell cited the probation report as a reason for his decision. The report called Halliburton a "bully" and said her expressions of remorse "appear coached." It went on to say that her plea deal was a "tragedy."

But Halliburton's attorney disagrees. He said the report is not evidence and that despite what the nanny cam video shows, the child was not harmed.

Halliburton will be back in court July 2 for her pre-trial hearing.