MT. VERNON — A 21-year-old Mt. Vernon woman agreed Tuesday in Jefferson County court to proceed toward bench trial with her court appointed attorney rather than represent herself in a case charging her with battery to her infant child.

Abagail Adkins is charged, along with 19-year-old Tyrone “EJ” Steele, with Class X felony aggravated battery of a child under the age of 13 causing great bodily harm.

The charges stem from a report received by MVPD back on April 20 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.

Both Adkins and Steele were in court Tuesday for final hearings before proceeding to bench trials on September 24. While in court Tuesday, Adkins requested to represent herself in the case.

Adkins ultimately withdrew her request and bench trials for both defendants was then confirmed for the end of September.