HASTINGS, Neb. – The case against a Hastings daycare provider accused of negligent child abuse is headed to a jury trial in September.

According to court records, Jade Essink waived her right to an arraignment and pled not guilty to one felony count of 'Negligent child abuse causing serious bodily injury' in her most recent court appearance on April 15.

The 23-year-old was arrested by Hastings Police on Jan. 29 after an investigation determined a 10-month old child suffered a severe head injury while under Essink's care at her unlicensed in-home daycare.

According to court documents, Essink alleges her 3-year-old child ran into a 1-year-old, causing the younger child to collide with the 10-month-old victim, who hit his head on a fireplace.

However, court records show multiple doctors claimed that Essink's story didn't add up with the injuries suffered by the child. 

One doctor said he was "100 percent sure the injuries sustained by the victim were due to child abuse." He noted several other injuries and scabs to his body that had begun to heal, and a bruise on his back that was multiple days old.

For the single charge, Essink faces a maximum of three years in prison and 18 months of probation if convicted of the felony charge. 

She will appear for a progression and pretrial conference in court on July 29, and Aug. 18 before the jury trial begins on Sept. 9, 2025.

Essink remains out of jail after posting 10% of a $5,000 bond.