Ritenour Makes Initial Appearance

Alicia Ritenour

Oskaloosa, Iowa – A mother accused of allegedly murdering her 18 month old daughter made her initial appearance before Mahaska County Magistrate Judge Scott Campbell on February 5th, 2014.

Alicia Ritenour has been accused of Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class “A” Felony and Child Endangerment Resulting In Death, a Class “B” Felony.

Campbell set Ritenour’s bond on the murder charge at $100,000 and the child endangerment charge remains at $25,000 cash or surety on both.

Ritenour requested a public defender, and because of the severity of the charge, two defenders will be representing her. Allen Cook and Ken Duker were appointed to represent Ritenour. Ritenour waived her preliminary hearing. No documents indicate when she will make her next court appearance.

According to Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee, there were others present in the apartment during the overnight hours before Ava Ritenour’s body was discovered. McGee declined to comment if any additional arrests were planned in connection to this case.

A criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilt. All suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty.