After a single-day bench trial was halted last month, so that the co-defendants in the case could sever the case, the 1st individual bench trial is set to begin today in regard to a man who was charged with a 2017 battery to an infant. The bench trail for 21-year-old Abigail Adkins was continued until October 15th, which is next Monday, and the trail against 20-year-old Tyrone “EJ” Steele was continued till today. The two are each facing a Class X felony for aggravated battery to a child under 13-years-old and causing a permanent disability. The charges stem from a report from Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, who gave their report to the Mt. Vernon Police Department on April 20th, 2017. There was a nurse at the children’s hospital who reported an allegation of abuse, with detective from Mt. Vernon’s Police Department and the Department of Children and Family Services Investigators continuing the investigation.