BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — A woman accused in the fatal shooting of her 1-year-old daughter has been transferred from the Belmont County Jail to a secure mental health facility.
Autum Stotelmyer Palmer was scheduled to appear in Belmont County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday but was not present when Judge Chris Berhalter called the case. Several members of Palmer’s family attended the proceeding.
Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra said Palmer was ordered to undergo a psychiatric examination after entering pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
Vavra said jail employees also observed that Palmer appeared to be suffering and determined that she should be moved to a facility where she could receive treatment.
Officials emphasized that the facility is secure and Palmer is not permitted to leave freely.
Berhalter rescheduled Palmer’s pretrial hearing for Sept. 21.
The criminal case remains pending. Palmer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
