Jena Marie Wright, the Prairie City woman charged in the death of 4-year-old Jordyn Arndt as a result of injuries sustained from Wright’s dog while she was babysitting the girl, entered not-guilty pleas on four charges she faces Monday.
Wright appeared with public defender Steve Addington to enter her pleas on charges of child endangerment resulting in death, a Class B felony; neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, a Class C felony; and misdemeanor charges of assault on a peace officer resulting in injury and interference with official acts. She also waiver her right to a speedy trial in the case.
Jasper County District Court Judge Randy Hefner accepted the pleas. He set Oct. 2 as the beginning date for the trial. A pre-trial conference was slated for July 22.
Arndt was attacked by Brutus, an American Staffordshire owned by Wright, on April 22. She suffered severe, fatal, bite injuries to the head and neck area, according to law enforcement documents. Wright was arrested the next day on the felony charges, but is alleged to have struggled with Prairie City police chief Louis Modlin.
Wright was informed of the additional charges stemming from that struggle at her initial appearance April 29. Addington was assigned her case at that time. She remains out of jail prior to the trial after making $50,000 surety bond.