JEFFERSON COUNTY — After a one-day bench trial was halted last month so the co-defendants could sever the case, the first individual bench trial is scheduled to begin Thursday for a 19-year-old man charged with the 2017 severe battery of an infant.

The bench trial against 21-year-old Abagail Adkins was continued until October 15, while the bench trial against 20-year-old Tyrone “EJ” Steele was continued until October 11.

The two are each charged with Class X felony aggravated battery of a child under the age of 13 causing permanent disability.

The charges stem from a report received by MVPD back on April 20, 2017, from Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

A nurse at the hospital reported an allegation of abuse and detectives from the Mt. Vernon Police Department and Department of Children and Family Services Investigators continued the investigation.