Walden’s 3-month-old daughter, Rae’Anna, was injured while in her care Oct. 23 and was pronounced dead five days later at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, according to prosecutors.
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Walden was arraigned last week and told Butler County Common Pleas Judge Charles Pater that she needed to have an attorney appointed because of lack of funds to hire her own. Attorney Ramona Daniel was appointed to represent Walden.
Last week, Walden cried during the entire hearing. But Tuesday, she was smiling at family in the courtroom and talking to other defendants as she waited for the hearing.
Pater set bond at $50,000 for Walden last week, and she remains housed in the Butler County Jail.
Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Heile requested a significant bond for Walden.
“There are very serious charges,” Heile said during arraignment. “The charges arise out of drug usage surrounding the care of her her child.”
The judge noted there was a significant criminal history of drug usage by Walden. She was charged with aggravated possession of drugs in December and was being held in the Hamilton County Jail when the Butler County indictment was returned.
Walden is scheduled to be back in court April 9 for a pre-trial hearing.
The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office still lists the cause of death for the baby as pending and a coroner’s report has not been released.
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