Man accused of injuring child with skateboard waives preliminary hearing

Francis Ernest White IV, the man accused of injuring his 18-month-old daughter by throwing a skateboard at her, appeared in court Tuesday to waive his preliminary hearing.

The case now heads to district court on June 9th.

White is charged with felony injury to a child, with one count of enhancement for infliction of great bodily injury.

During court proceedings, White requested a reduction to the $250,000 bond and asked for a pretrial release. Judge Paul Laggis denied both requests.

White’s attorney also mentioned a potential plea deal during court proceedings. He stated White may plead guilty to felony injury if the enhancement charge is dropped. This plea deal is not official at this time. It would not become official until White makes his district court appearance on June 9th. At that time, he will state, on record, a plea of guilty or not guilty.

The Power County prosecutor said it’s important to know that White waving his preliminary hearing is not in any way a guilty plea. He simply waved his right to a hearing, sending the case on for district court to decide.

Currently, the child’s condition is unknown, but she was flown to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City in critical condition after the incident.