Bond was set at $100,000 Friday for a Warren County woman accused of causing severe injuries to her 3-week-old daughter.

Kristen Elizabeth Walter, 24, 7094 Oak Ridge Road, faces 20 years to life on child abuse charges stemming from her July 7 arrest. The night before, the baby was treated for a broken arm and leg, as well as a fractured skull, at River Region Medical Center. Following a transfer to University Medical Center in Jackson, the baby was placed in custody of the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

A trial is set for March 8.

At the time of her arrest, investigators said Walter told them she was holding the baby when she tripped over a threshold in the home and fell, landing on the infant.

At a bond hearing before Circuit Court Judge Isadore Patrick, Warren County Sheriff’s Investigator Todd Dykes testified to statements between him and an emergency room physician on the injuries being more consistent with twisting than with clean breaks common with a fall.

Dykes also testified to being given incorrect information by Walter on her surname, date of birth and Social Security number during a disturbance call investigation in October 2008. Later, a check of a nationwide crime database revealed two outstanding misdemeanor warrants issued to Walter in Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes in Louisiana.

District Attorney Ricky Smith recommended Walter be held without bond. Smith told Judge Patrick the testimony on Walter providing authorities with information she thought would conceal her identity “strengthens the state’s argument.”

No witnesses were offered by the defense, represented by attorney Clarence Whitaker. Defense statements included information that Walter has been on medication for bipolar disorder and severe anxiety.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com