Hartwell Trial Date Set

DAYTON - A Dayton man who has been charged with first degree rape of a child appeared in court last week. According to the Columbia County Prosecutor's Office, Walter Hartwell is scheduled to go to trial April 22 and 23.

Hartwell was arrested last month and charged with initiating sexual contact with an 11-year-old child. He is being held in the Columbia County jail, with bond set at $100,000.

A hearing to set a trial date for Levi Helgerson, who is charged with first degree assault of a child, is scheduled for April 3. Helgerson was arrested last month after an 11-month-old baby that was left in his care was found to have severe head and neck injuries.

Helgerson is also being held in Dayton on $100,000 bond.