Defendant in child's death found competent to stand trial

BEATRICE – A 27-year-old man has been found competent to stand trial in two criminal cases against him….one allegedly involving the death of a four-month- old child while he was babysitting the child last August.

An autopsy and preliminary findings indicated the child suffered non-accidental trauma…including head hemorrhaging and broken ribs.

Gage County District Judge Rick Schreiner conducted hearings evaluating Austin Meyn and found him competent to stand trial in the two cases. 

In one of them, Meyn faces a charge of intentional child abuse resulting in death…..while the second case contains charges of 1^st degree sexual assault of a child and intentional child abuse, without injury.

The sexual assault violation, investigators allege, occurred between March 1^st and August 15^th of 2024. allegedly involving a then 16-year-old child.

Bond has been continued in both cases, and Meyn is scheduled to appear for his next hearings in Gage County District Court, May 6^th…for further pretrial proceedings.

Meyn remains in custody at the Gage County Jail.