Mom s bond set at $250,000 in child endangerment case

10/23/2008

Bond was set at $250,000 during an arraignment Thursday morning for a woman accused of leaving her 3-year-old child with her fiancee who was abusing the child, authorities said.

Mallisa Lusk, 27, of 907 Homer Ave., was charged with felony child endangering and remains in the Lucas County jail. She was ordered to have no contact with any children, court records show.

Her daughter, Kaycie Bork, remains in critical condition at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

Troy Semenovich, 25, also of the Homer address, was arrested Monday after he slapped the child in the head, driving her into the kitchen stove and causing severe injury, court documents state. She had bleeding on her brain.

Semenovich is not the girl s biological father, police said.

From earlier editions of toledoblade.com

The mother of a 3-year-old girl, who remains in critical condition at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, was arrested yesterday and charged with felony child endangering, police said.

Mallissa Lusk, 27, of 907 Homer Ave. was being held in the county jail pending arraignment today in Toledo Municipal Court, authorities said.

She was arrested at the Safety Building in downtown Toledo about 5 p.m. yesterday.

Ms. Lusk's fiance, Troy Semenovich, 25, also of the Homer address, was arrested Monday after he slapped the toddler, Kaycie Bork, in the head driving her into the kitchen stove, causing severe injury, court documents state. She had bleeding on her brain.

Semenovich is not the girl's biological father, police said.

Toledo police Detective James Couch said the child had visible bruises when she was taken to the hospital and also evidence of past abuse.

The incident occurred about 3 p.m. Monday at the house on Homer while Semenovich was watching Kaycie, her twin brother, and a 1-year-old boy who is Semenovich's biological son. Ms. Lusk, who has six children ranging in age from 1 to 8, was not home, police said.

Semenovich took the unresponsive girl to the hospital and told officials she had fallen while at a baby-sitter's house. The explanation for the child's injuries seemed suspicious, so nurses called police. He was charged with felonious assault and remains in the county jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

All of Ms. Lusk's children are now in the custody of Lucas County Children Services, Detective Couch said. The children were evaluated and have no obvious signs of abuse.