Local Court News, (Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — The case of a Hastings man charged with intentional child abuse after a 15-month-old child was found in a ditch in October 2025 is now headed to district court.
Austin Hendrick, 31, has been charged with committing intentional child abuse – no injury, a Class 3A felony.
Hendrick appeared for a preliminary hearing in Adams County Court on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Probable cause in the cause was found and the case has now been bound over to district court for trial. Hendrick’s bail in the case was adjusted to ten percent of $10,000.
Arraignment in district court has been set for March 4 at 2 p.m.
While the affidavit detailing the case has been sealed by the court, the complaint states that the alleged abuse occurred on Oct. 4.
According to a press release from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, “At approximately 8:01 am, Deputies were dispatched to the scene after a concerned citizen reported finding what appeared to be an infant sitting in a ditch.”
The infant was located in the 2000 block of South Marian Road in rural Adams County.
“Upon arrival, officers summoned Hastings Fire and Rescue. Paramedics responded and immediately assessed the child. The child was transported to Mary Lanning Hospital for further medical evaluation and care,” per the sheriff’s office.
