Travis Tuttle
4 p.m. update
COLUMBUS, Ind. — A local man accused of Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent in the death of his 8-year-old son will remain behind bars.
On Thursday, Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton denied a request from Travis E. Tuttle, 36, to lower his $1 million bond.
Clifty Creek second-grader Lealyn Tuttle died last March from acute fentanyl and diphenhydramine intoxication while visiting his father’s apartment on Columbus’ east side, according to court documents filed in the case. While the boy’s mother had full custody, she allowed Lealyn to spend some nights at her ex-husband’s residence.
Since his arrest on Nov. 29, Tuttle has been held in the Bartholomew County Jail on charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, and possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony.
Walking with a cane into the courtroom on Wednesday, Tuttle told the court he suffers from multiple sclerosis, as well as broken ribs sustained during an automobile accident.
Those injuries make it difficult to serve time as an inmate in jail, public defender Jane Ann Noblitt said.
The defendant says the $1 million bond is excessive because the only revenue he receives is $800 a month in disability payments, which he told the judge he needs to pay his bills.
In response, Bartholomew County Deputy Prosecutor Sara Laska told the judge that Tuttle has prior, separate convictions of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, criminal recklessness and failure to stop after an accident.
After listing a number of missed court hearings, Laska asked Tuttle if he recalls a time when he missed a court hearing — but then waited three days to ask the judge to reschedule his court appearance.
“I don’t remember,” Tuttle said. “My memory is not that good.”
While Tuttle said his mother and aunt would allow him to stay with them, Laska said the defendant didn’t know how long his family’s offer might last.
But the deputy prosecutor stated her main objection is that lowering the bond would depreciate the seriousness of the crime, which she says is second only to murder.
In his written order on Friday, Worton agreed with Laska regarding the seriousness of the crime, and also noted that Tuttle’s past record indicates he poses a risk of not appearing in future court hearings.
Worton also stated that Tuttle poses a moderate risk to reoffend as measured by the Indiana Risk Assessment.
For the complete story, see Friday’s Republic.
Earlier story
COLUMBUS, Ind. — A local man accused of Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent in the death of his 8-year-old son is asking a judge for a reduction in his $1 million bond.
Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton took the request from Travis E. Tuttle, 36, under advisement on Wednesday.
Clifty Creek second grader Lealyn Tuttle died last March from acute fentanyl and diphenhydramine intoxication while visiting his father’s apartment on the city’s east side, according to court documents filed in the case. While the boy’s mother had full custody, she allowed Lealyn to spend some nights at her ex-husband’s residence.
Since his arrest on Nov. 29, Tuttle has been held in the Bartholomew County Jail on charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, and possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony.
