Grant Co. judge sets bail at $5,000 for Staats'

EPHRATA - Grant County Superior Court Judge John Knodell set a $5,000 bail for the parents of a boy reportedly found malnourished and dying.

Robert A. Staats, 36, and Michelle K. Staats, 32, both of Moses Lake, made their first appearance in Grant County Superior Court Tuesday. The couple is charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment, second-degree criminal mistreatment and possession of marijuana, according to court records.

Prosecutor Angus Lee requested a $10,000 bail for both people, saying the severity of the possible punishment warranted the bail. If they are convicted of first-degree criminal mistreatment, they face a minimum of four years and three months in prison.

"I have to be totally up front with the court and tell you that there is no evidence of a history of flight or any prior violent crimes, but the nature of the charges themselves and the prison time that is attached do warrant some bail," Lee said during Michelle Staats' initial appearance.

Knodell asked about the Staats' five children, and Lee said none of them are in their custody at the moment.

"They are involved somewhat with the victim's medical care at this point, which is a concern," Lee said.

Moses Lake attorney Stephen Hormel represented both parents during their appearances. He didn't believe a $10,000 bail would be necessary, he said.

"Both Ms. Staats and her husband appeared. They have been diligent in their dependency proceedings," he said. "They take this matter very seriously. They plan on appearing at all future court dates, and a bond may have some affect on their ability to hire counsel ... I believe they're not a flight risk."

Both Robert and Michelle Staats are presently looking for attorneys, Hormel said.

Knodell decided to set bail at $5,000, saying they are serious charges, but neither have a history of violent crime and appeared in court voluntarily.

The couple is accused of refusing to take their nearly 3-year-old son into the hospital for months, according to a Grant County sheriff's report. The issues with the child started in February 2011, more than a year before he was brought to Samaritan Healthcare. Michelle Staats allegedly acted as the child's primary care provider, telling police she didn't trust hospitals and used herbal and homeopathic treatments for her children.

She reported to investigators the boy spat up food and only drank breast milk, according to the police report.

Michelle Staats contacted the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to help develop a plan to get the child eating solid food, according to the police report. When the child failed to improve by July 2011, they advised her to contact a doctor.

She reportedly treated the boy with herbal or homeopathic remedies and it seemed to work, and by August 2011, the child was eating vegetable broth, according to the police report. The boy's condition worsened by September 2011, when a WIC representative contacted her again, and allegedly learned she hadn't taken the child to a doctor.

Michelle Staats allegedly took the child to see a naturopath doctor in November 2011, according to the police report. The doctor reportedly found an infection and prescribed antibiotics.

When the child refused to take the antibiotics and continued to have problems eating the doctor allegedly advised the Staats to take the child to another medical professional or a hospital, according to the police report. The doctor reportedly told the Staats the boy's condition was critical.

Michelle Staats allegedly told police she prayed about whether she should take the child to a hospital, according to the police report. When she thought about taking the boy to the hospital, she got an upset stomach. She allegedly interpreted the upset stomach as a sign from God she should continue trying to treat the child herself.

Following the decision, she allegedly contacted a San Francisco herbalist, who recommended "drainage," according to the police report. Drainage is defined as "using multiple, low-potency, homeopathic remedies to manage the onslaught of modern toxins," according to the Options Naturopathic Clinic website. After the treatment, the boy's condition reportedly seemed to improve.

She reported being able to feed the child breast milk every two hours and giving him between one and 1.5 cups of broth and 0.75 to 1.5 cups of water a day, according to court records.

The child's condition reportedly worsened in April, when he became sick again, according to the police report. Michelle Staats allegedly found the child lethargic the morning of May 9. When he stopped breathing, she called 9-1-1. The dispatcher gave her instruction until paramedics arrived.

When the child arrived at Samaritan, he allegedly weighed between 8 and 10 pounds. Doctors reported needing to use a defibrillator twice before they could find a pulse.

Doctors reported the child was "emaciated, wasted, and obviously malnourished. The parents seem not to recognize this fact, according to court records.

Both parents allegedly told police they weren't trying to abuse or hurt the child, according to the police report.

"We've been trying to do it the natural way, without medical treatment," Robert Staats reportedly told police. "My wife's really been pushed on that belief."

Robert Staats reportedly told his wife they should bring the child to the hospital, but the child became better, according to the police report.

Robert Staats reportedly had health insurance from his employer and they own a $260,000 home.

Michelle Staats reportedly described a cycle where the child would seem to improve after she treated him, and would get sick again, and refuse to eat.

Police allegedly found marijuana in a locked room next to the kitchen, according to the police report.

The Staats are expected to enter a plea on Oct. 23.