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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=48389.91

4-year-old found dead, parents are arrested
Mother, stepfather face neglect charges after girl’s body reported at Tall Timbers.

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Police arrested a man and a woman Friday in the death of a 4-year-old child, but would not release the child's name.

Arrested were Scott Bruce, 37, and Melissa Bruce, 24, both of 3061 Springland Ave. in the Tall Timbers housing development. Both are charged with neglect of a dependant, authorities said late Friday.

Neighbors identified Melissa as the mother of the deceased child, a 4-year-old identified by neighbors as Savannah. Neighbors also said Scott Bruce is the child's stepfather.

The child's name is being withheld pending notification of family members. The girl's mother spoke to neighbors about whether she might be arrested.

"Her main concern was that she not go to jail," one neighbor said, claiming the mother told her the child had bruises on her face.

In the background Friday, children and toddlers enjoyed the pleasant Friday afternoon under the shade of trees at the development of mostly two-story townhomes, many unaware of the tragedy in Unit 61.

Michigan City Police Officers Shane Washluske and Greg Radiger stood watch within the yellow police tape cordoning off the death scene. After school, they said they had quite a crowd of youngsters wanting to know what happened and why authorities were there.

A pool of teen girls standing near the scene also wondered what happened.

At about 1 p.m., an ambulance - no sirens wailing - pulled away with the child's body, neighbors said.

According to a Michigan City Police Department press release, an officer was dispatched to 3061 Springland Ave. in Tall Timbers, "reference a 4-year-old not breathing." EMS also responded. The coroner was notified, and the child was pronounced dead and taken to St. Anthony Memorial.

Neighbors said police took the child's mother and her husband to the police department in separate vehicles.

A cigarette dangling from nervous hands, neighbor Kari Pratt said her children, especially her 14-year-old daughter, were devastated by the news.

"My daughter was best friends with (the child's) older sister," who is said to be 14.

In addition, Pratt and another neighbor, Lynette Mooi, said two other teenage girls and a teenage boy lived in the townhouse unit in which the girl apparently died.

Like many parents, Mooi was faced with the task of telling her young children a child died.

Pratt led plans for Friday night's candlelight vigil memorial service. Organized religion is different from spirituality, she noted. She read the 23rd Psalm at the ceremony.

"I wish it didn't come to this for everyone to come together," she said of the child's death. "Normally, it's (the neighborhood) not like this."

Pratt said the 14-year-old and the child who died often appeared to be hungry, and she felt sorry for them.

"We fed them," she said, "mostly hot dogs."

An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday in Fort Wayne.

Contact Deborah Sederberg at dsederberg@thenewsdispatch.com.

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4-year-old's death leads to questions
Mother of suspect's 4 teens has been unable to contact them.

MICHIGAN CITY - The mother of Scott Bruce's four teenage children was unable to find out any information on them during the weekend.

Amanda Birdsong has many questions that were unable to be answered because local and state officials involved with her children weren't available during the weekend.

Bruce and his wife, Melissa Bruce, were arrested for neglect of a dependent after Melissa Bruce's 4-year-old daughter was found dead Friday.

Michigan City police and La Porte County EMS responded to the Tall Timbers housing development at 1 p.m. Friday in reference to a 4-year-old not breathing.

The coroner was then notified and the child was pronounced dead and transported to St. Anthony Memorial.

Scott Bruce, 37, and Melissa Bruce, 24, both of 3061 Springland Ave., were subsequently arrested on charges of neglect of a dependent.

The 4-year-old was identified by neighbors as Savannah. Neighbors also identified Melissa as the 4-year-old's mother and Scott as the child's step-father.

Scott Bruce was arrested a year ago on a charge of battery at his home, according to police records. He was also arrested in August 2000 for a battery charge at his Springland residence.

Deputy Coroner John Sullivan said the forensic autopsy was completed at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne.

"The results should be back within two to three days," Sullivan said.

What will be released with in 48 hours is a preliminary report which will state cause and means of death. A final report will be completed in 60 days.

Birdsong would like to know where her children are and how they are doing. The children are 14, 15, 16 and 17.

"I haven't been able to see them," Birdsong said, adding since it was the weekend, every office she was directed to was closed.

Birdsong said she found news of what happened to the little girl shocking.

"It's a shame that it happened. I found out about it through the newspaper," she said. "It's a shock that this happened (but) I know how he was when the kids were young."

Other questions Birdsong has were with regards to observations from neighbors that the children often appeared hungry. Bruce, she said, had custody of the children.

"I pay child support every two weeks. ... It's unreal," she said.

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http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/28702099.html

MICHIGAN CITY -- A Michigan City couple faces criminal charges after police found their 4-year-old daughter dead. Scott and Melissa Bruce have been charged with neglect of a dependent.
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Police were called to the Tall Timbers Townhouses Friday night on Springland Avenue for a child not breathing. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions, including how the child died. And it's something neighbors and strangers are still struggling with.

On a day when most kids are playing outside, Sharon Kelley's kids are paying their respects.

"They picked teddy bears out of their bedroom and we brought them here," Kelley said.

Kelley lives a few miles away from Tall Timbers Townhouses — where police found a 4-year old girl dead Friday night.

"I couldn't believe that a mother could let a life go that's so precious. It's heartbreaking," said Kelley.

It's a feeling neighbors know all too well. Lynnette Mooi helped organize a candlelight vigil for the little girl.

"She played and danced and laughed and what any 4-year-old would do," said Mooi.

Mooi was standing near the girl's mother when she found out her child was dead — a reaction she'll never forget.

"She was just calm and cool, didn't really say too much of anything," she recalled. "It was very shocking to all of us that saw her. She just said that she hoped that she didn't go to jail for child abuse. And when I asked her why she told me that her daughter had thrown herself and got multiple bruises on her face."

Police arrested the girl's mother and stepfather. They've both been charged with neglect of a dependent.

"There's nothing any of us can do or say to bring her back," said Mooi.

Officials still aren't saying how the girl died. But Mooi says the tragedy serves as an important reminder to everyone.

"I hope and pray that if they suspect child abuse or any other kind of foul play in somebody else's home, that they report it. Because then in turn you save a life. And if you don't, then you're just as guilty as everybody else," she said.

An autopsy was performed Saturday, but the results have not been released. The Michigan City Detective's Bureau is investigating this case.

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=17528

4-year-old ID'd in neglect death

Georgette Senter
The News-Dispatch

Probable cause hearing is likely today for mother, step-father of Savannah Pioch.

MICHIGAN CITY - Authorities were not releasing much information Monday about the death of 4-year-old Savannah Pioch, discovered dead Friday in an apartment on the city's far East Side.

All they would say is that they are still investigating and speaking with people involved. It wasn't disclosed how long the girl's body had been inside the apartment.

The girl's identity was announced Monday after the girl's father, David Pioch, was contacted. No hometown was given for him, but police said he did not live in Michigan City. He is listed as currently living in Monticello, Ind., but no phone number was available for him.

It was expected there would be a probable cause hearing Monday to bring formal charges for the arrest of Scott Bruce, 37, and Melissa Bruce, 24, after both were arrested Friday on charges of neglect of a dependent. Both live at 3061 Springland Ave. in the Tall Timers housing development, where the dead girl was found.

It is possible the probable cause hearing could be held sometime today. Throughout the day Monday, representatives of the La Porte County Prosecutor's Office and Michigan City police met to go over evidence involved in the case.

La Porte County Coroner Dr. Vidya Kora said Monday a preliminary report from the autopsy that was done Saturday at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne could be ready by the end of this week. Kora said a full toxicology report would not be ready for at least four to six weeks.

He declined to comment on a possible cause of death on the girl, whose body was reportedly covered in bruises.

Michigan City police and La Porte County EMS responded to 3061 Springland Ave. at Tall Timbers around 1 p.m. Friday in reference to a 4-year-old not breathing.

Shortly after EMS arrived, the coroner's office was called. The child was pronounced dead and transported to St. Anthony Memorial, before her body was taken to St. Joseph's in Fort Wayne for an autopsy.

Neighbors identified Melissa Bruce as the girl's mother and Scott Bruce as the step-father. The same neighbors gathered Friday evening for a candlelight vigil for the young victim.



Contact Georgette Senter at gsenter@thenewsdispatch.com.

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Funeral for Savannah to be closed casket
Mother, stepfather plead not guilty to neglect charges of 4-year-old.

Georgette Senter and Stan Maddux

MICHIGAN CITY - The mother and stepfather of Savannah Pioch have pleaded not guilty to charges brought against them for the 4-year-old girl's death.

During a preliminary hearing Wednesday via a video conference from the La Porte County Jail, Melissa Bruce, 24, and Scott Bruce, 37, both of 3061 Springland Ave., Apartment 61, entered their pleas.

Deputy Prosecutor Atley Price read the charges of Class A felony neglect of a dependent and two Class B felony counts of neglect of a dependent in Superior Court 1 while the Bruces listened in the jail in La Porte.

An omnibus hearing date was set for Nov. 13 for Melissa Bruce. She has said she will hire her own attorney.

Scott Bruce asked for a court appointed attorney, but it has not been granted. A status hearing in his case is set for Oct. 16.

For David Pioch, the charges against his former wife and her new husband are scant comfort.

On Wednesday, Pioch, 30, of Portage, talked about his daughter's death, saying he learned from authorities that Savannah had been dead for some time before police found her.

"The body was in such a state it can't be made presentable," he said of why today's funeral will be a closed casket.

Under the Class A felony count, the couple is held responsible for the death by not seeking medical care for the girl after a beating, according to the probable cause affidavit outlining the criminal allegations. The other two counts, both Class B felonies, alleged the girl's already serious condition wasn't helped when she was confined in a sleeping bag.

"I'm just kind of numb about everything right now," Pioch said.

Toward the end of their marriage, Pioch said, they were living in the Chicago area when he suspected Melissa was seeing men she met on the Internet and confronted her about it.

"She'd take off at all hours of the night," he said.

In March, he said Melissa filed for divorce about the time she met Scott Bruce.

Pioch blamed his arrest in December on a domestic violence charge for losing custody of Savannah and Logan, his 6-year old son, during the divorce proceedings.

Ever since, Pioch said, he was concerned about the safety of his children, especially Savannah, due to Melissa's temper.

"Quite a few times, she said she didn't want Savannah anymore and wanted me to take her. Then she would change her mind. It was like a game to her," Pioch said.

He said that during his visits, the children never gave any clear indication something might be wrong. Pioch said when he asked if everything was OK.

"They would just put their heads down. They wouldn't say anything."

Eventually, Pioch moved back to Portage, where he graduated from high school in 1996. He said he had not seen his children in two months, preferring to stay away from Melissa.

"That's why I moved here, to get away from her and get my life straightened out," he said.

Pioch described Savannah as loving and "very clinging." He said she was having difficulties with learning how to write properly and potty training but "other than that she was a really sweet kid."

In probable cause information presented to Judge Kathleen Lang on Tuesday, it was charged that Melissa and Scott Bruce beat the 4-year-old in the head, caused her to fall and injure her head again, tied her up, put her in a sleeping bag and then put her in a room. They are charged with then failing to seek medical treatment for Savannah's injuries.

It has not been revealed how long Savannah was left alone in the room or how long she was dead before paramedics were summoned to the house Friday morning on a call of a child not breathing.

After EMTs arrived, police were called. The apartment was cordoned off by police tape as officers began investigating the girl's death.

Neighbors gathered outside the townhouse apartment and later that night, neighbors held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Savannah.

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Neglect charges filed in girl's death

Georgette Senter
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Neglect charges were filed during a probable cause hearing Tuesday against the mother and stepfather of 4-year-old Savanah Pioch for the girl's beating death.

During the hearing before Superior Court 1 Judge Kathleen Lang, the two were accused of tying Savanah after a beating, putting her in a sleeping bag and leaving her in a room without seeking medical treatment for her injuries.

Melissa Bruce, 24, and her husband, Scott J. Bruce, 37, both of 3061 Springland Ave., Apartment 61, will be formally charged in Superior Court 1 on Thursday with three felony counts, one Class A felony count of neglect of a dependent and two Class B felony counts of neglect of a dependent.

Both have been in jail since Friday, and both remained in jail during the probable cause hearing and were served with warrants detailing the charges against them later Tuesday.

According to documentation presented Tuesday by Sean Steele, Michigan City Police Department detective, the three counts against each are nearly identical.

Count 1 for Class A felony neglect states that both "having the care or assuming the care of Savanah Pioch, a dependent under the age of 14 years of age, to wit: 4 years of age, did unlawfully and knowingly or intentionally place said dependent in a situation which endangered the dependent's life or health, to wit: withheld necessaryprofessional medical diagnosis and treatment for Savanah Pioch, with said act resulting in the death of Savanah Pioch."

In Count 2, Class B felony neglect, both are accused of "unlawfully, and knowingly or intentionally, placing said dependent in a situation which endangered the dependent's life or health, to-wit: struck Savanah Pioch about the head and face causing her to fall and sustain further head injuries, all of which resulted in the infliction of serious bodily injury, to-wit: extreme pain."

In Count 3, Class B felony neglect, Scott Bruce is accused of "unlawfully, and knowingly, intentionally, or cruelly confining Savanah Pioch by binding her ankles and wrists and/or tying her in a sleeping bag, all of which resulted in the infliction of serious bodily injury, to-wit: extreme pain."

In Count 3, Melissa Bruce is accused of aiding Scott Bruce in binding her ankles and wrists and/or tying her in a sleeping bag, all of which resulted in the infliction of serious bodily injury and extreme pain.

Lang set bond at $100,000 for each.

If found guilty and sentenced to the maximum, with the sentences to be served consecutively, the Bruces could receive a 90-year prison sentence. On the Class A felony, they could get from 20 to 50 years and on the Class B felonies they could receive from six to 20 years for each count.

Savanah's father, David Pioch, Portage, with the help of family members, is making funeral arrangements at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home in Portage. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the funeral is at 1 p.m. Thursday. Burial is in McCool Cemetery in Portage.

Contact Georgette Senter at gsenter@thenewsdispatch.com.

[mcstumper]

I just don't understand.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Look at the mother: Was she and the child's father married? Why did they split up? How did she get involved with this killer? How long did she know he treated her little girl like that? Why didn't she do what nearly all vertebrate mothers do, viz., do what is needed to take care of her baby?

Look at the father: Was he married to the child's mother? Why did he split up with her? How did he maintain a relationship with his daughter? Why did he engage in sexual behavior without being committed to the potential results?

Look at the killer: Why is he attracted to someone so much younger? Why can't he deal with someone his own age? How could he be such a coward to mistreat those unable to defend themselves?




This whole story is sickening. As far as the charge of murder, remember what happened with the Baby Doe case, when the mother was not found guilty of murder because they could not prove or show that she took the baby's life. Consider the difficulty in proving that in this case, when the charged parties are husband and wife.

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Kora: Girl died of neck injury
Savannah Pioch's funeral held Thursday.

MICHIGAN CITY - On the day Savannah Pioch was buried next to her grandfather in McCool Cemetery in Portage, La Porte County Coroner Vidya Kora announced preliminary results of an autopsy on the girl.

Kora issued a brief statement saying the cause of 4-year-old Savannah's death was "injury to the neck."

He said final autopsy and toxicology results will not be available for another four to six weeks.

"How the injury occurred and the manner of death is currently under investigation," Kora said.

Savannah's body was found a week ago in a room in an apartment at Tall Timbers housing development on the city's East Side.

It is not known how long she had been in the room, but she was bound and inside a sleeping bag.

Her stepfather, Scott Bruce, 37, and her mother, Melissa Bruce, 24, have been arrested and charged with one county of Class A neglect of a dependent and two counts of Class B felony neglect of a dependent.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which could result in a 90-year prison sentence if they are convicted of all charges.

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=43089.24

Bruce denied public defender
Step-father faces neglect charges after 4-year-old found dead.

MICHIGAN CITY - A man charged with neglect of his step-daughter after her body was discovered was advised to have an attorney before his next hearing.

Michigan City police arrested Scott Bruce, 37, 3061 Springland Ave., Apartment 61, on a charge of Class A child neglect in connection with the beating death of Savannah Pioch, 4, whose body was found Sept. 19 in a room in an apartment at Tall Timbers housing development on the city's East Side.

Police say the little girl had been beaten, bound, stuffed in a sleeping bag and left alone in the room.

Also charged was the girl's mother, Melissa Bruce, 24, also of 3061 Springland Ave., Apartment 61. Both also have been charged with Class B felony neglect of a dependent.

A status hearing for Scott Bruce was held Thursday in La Porte County Superior Court 1, where Bruce requested a court-appointed attorney. Judge Kathleen Lang denied the request, pointing out that Bruce did not meet the requirements of being indigent as he still owns a truck.

"The defendant must get an attorney in order to make sure his rights are protected," Lang said, adding paperwork will need to be filed before the omnibus hearing.

"(Defendants requesting public defenders) usually don't own trucks," said Lang, who set Bruce's next hearing for Nov. 13.

A hearing was previously set for Nov. 13 for Melissa Bruce, who said she will hire her own attorney.

Both Scott and Melissa Bruce have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which could result in a 90-year prison sentence if they are convicted of all charges.

A probable cause information presented to Lang on Sept. 23 charged Melissa and Scott Bruce beat the 4-year-old in the head, caused her to fall and injure her head again, tied her up, put her in a sleeping bag and then put her in a room.

Under the Class A felony count, the couple is held responsible for the death by not seeking medical care for the girl after the alleged beating.

The other two counts, both Class B felonies, was filed because she was confined in a sleeping bag.

It has not been revealed how long Savannah was left alone in the room or how long she was dead before paramedics were summoned to the house.

Preliminary autopsy results, released Sept. 25, revealed the cause of 4-year-old Savannah's death was "injury to the neck."

La Porte County Coroner Vidya Kora said how the injury occurred and the manner of death is under investigation.

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Autopsy: Savannah died of asphyxiation

Rick Richards
City Editor, The News-Dispatch

Final results show 'a history of physical abuse' to 4-year-old girl.

MICHIGAN CITY - Savannah Pioch's short life was filled with "a history of physical abuse," according to the final results of an autopsy released late Monday afternoon by La Porte County Coroner Dr. Vidya Kora.

The report showed recent hemorrhaging of the soft tissue of the 4-year-old girl's neck.

Kora said that based on the results of the autopsy, "the cause of death is determined to be asphyxiation from neck trauma."

Kora declined to say Savannah had been strangled.

"We are not using that word yet," Kora said. "We were very specific in the words we used. What we are saying was pressure on the neck caused bleeding in the soft tissue and compression on the air passage."

Beyond that, however, the autopsy report showed Savannah had "multiple contusions and abrasions on the body in various stages of healing."

Kora said the injuries showed Savannah had suffered from "a history of physical abuse." He said the girl's body was covered in bruises, contusions and abrasions, but there was no evidence of broken bones.

Earlier, Kora said the girl had not been sexually abused.

Savannah's body was found Sept. 19 in a room in an apartment at Tall Timbers housing development on the city's East Side. It is not known how long she had been in the room, but when she was found she had been bound and stuffed inside a sleeping bag.

Although she had not been given medical treatment by a physician, the autopsy discovered the present of hydrocodone and ibuprofen in her body.

Her stepfather, Scott Bruce, 37, and her mother, Melissa Bruce, 24, both of 3061 Springland Ave., Apartment 61, have been arrested and charged with one count of Class A neglect of a dependent and two counts of Class B felony neglect of a dependent.

While the autopsy determined Savannah's death to be a homicide, murder charges have not been filed because investigators have not been able to determine whether it was Scott Bruce or Melissa Bruce who was responsible for the girl's death

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which could result in a 90-year prison sentence if they are convicted of all charges.

Last week, Scott Bruce asked Superior Court 1 Judge Kathleen Lang for a court-appointed attorney, but she denied the request, pointing out he did not meet the requirements of being indigent since he owns a truck. His next hearing was set for Nov. 13.

A hearing was also set for Nov. 13 for Melissa Bruce, who told Lang she will hire her own attorney.

In his nine years as coroner, Kora said what he saw when he examined Savannah's body was "the worst I've seen ... This has upset all of us in the office like nothing else has."



Contact City Editor Rick A. Richards at news@thenewsdispatch.com.

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Attorney appointed for Bruce

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A man and a woman who are charged with neglecting a 4-year-old child who died made separate appearances in La Porte Superior Court 1 Thursday before Senior Judge Donald Harner.

Scott and Melissa Bruce are charged in the death of Melissa's 4-year-old daughter, Savannah Pioch, whose body was discovered in an upstairs room of the couple's townhouse apartment in Tall Timbers, 2061 Springland Ave., on Sept. 19.

Both parents were taken into custody that day and have been charged with Class A felony neglect of a child and Class B felony neglect of a dependent.

According to La Porte County Coroner Dr. Vidya Kora, an autopsy showed Savannah had been beaten, tied up, stuffed into a sleeping bag and left in a room alone without professional medical care.

A probable cause affidavit presented to Superior Court 1 Judge Kathleen Lang on Sept. 23 charged the parents with beating the 4-year-old in the head, which caused her to fall and further injure her head.

Twice Scott Bruce, 31, has been denied a public defender by Lang, but Thursday, after he saw a financial need statement, Harner agreed that a public defender should be appointed.

Dressed in an orange La Porte County Jail jumpsuit, with sleeves short enough to reveal extensive tattoos on his forearms, Bruce spoke softly. Harner asked him to speak directly into a microphone.

Valparaiso attorney Charles Nightingale appeared with Melissa Bruce, 24. Free on bond, she was dressed in black pants and sweater.

Nightingale asked for a continuance because he had received discovery information just a week ago.

The judge continued her omnibus hearing until Jan. 15.

q

Contact Deborah Sederberg at dsederberg@thenewsdispatch.com.

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Bruce's hearing pushed back

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A woman charged in the death of her daughter has had her court hearing rescheduled so her attorney can research the case.

Melissa Bruce appeared before La Porte Superior Court 1 Judge Kathleen Lang on Thursday with her attorney Charles Nightingale, Valparaiso.

Nightingale asked for a postponement of the scheduled hearing to allow more time to research the case.

Melissa and her husband, Scott Bruce, were arrested Sept. 19 when the body of her 4-year-old daughter, Savannah Pioch, was discovered in an upstairs room of the couple's townhouse apartment in Tall Timbers, 2061 Springland Ave.

An autopsy showed the girl had been beaten, tied up, stuffed into a sleeping bag and left in a room alone without professional medical care, according to La Porte County Coroner Dr. Vidya Kora. Melissa Bruce, who is out on bail, is facing four counts of neglect of a dependent child.

Nightingale said he received the case Nov. 6 and hadn't had adequate time to prepare because of several criminal trials he's handling in Starke County.

Lang moved the hearing to Feb. 26 and said, "We need to get this going or we'll go up to six months with nothing happening."

Melissa Bruce's father and step-mother were in court for the Wednesday appearance.

Scott Bruce is being represented by local attorney James Cupp, who was appointed Nov. 13 by Senior Judge Donald Harner while filling in for Lang. The judge had twice refused him the right to a court-appointed attorney.

Lang has scheduled a Jan. 22 hearing for Scott Bruce.

q

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

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Bruce won't be let out

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - His lawyer described Scott Bruce as "disabled and destitute."

Court-appointed attorney James Cupp appeared with his client in La Porte Superior Court 1 Thursday seeking to have him released on his own recognizance, but his plea was denied.

Bruce and his wife, Melissa, are charged with neglecting her 4-year-old daughter, resulting in the daughter's death. The Bruces were arrested Sept. 19 when the body of Savannah Pioch was discovered in an upstairs room of the couple's townhouse apartment in Tall Timbers, 2061 Springland Ave.

An autopsy indicated the child had been beaten, tied up, stuffed into a sleeping bag and left in a room alone without medical care, according to former La Porte County Coroner Dr. Vidya Kora.

Although the child died, the Bruces are charged with neglect of a dependent, not with homicide.

Melissa, who has hired her own attorney, Charles Nightingale, Valparaiso, is out on bond.

Judge Kathleen Lang had refused to appoint a public defender for Scott Bruce but Judge Donald Harner made the appointment when Lang was absent from court.

When asked about Bruce's disability, Cupp said Bruce is suffering from a back injury and severe depression. Cupp said his client was not receiving proper medication in the jail.

Bruce has had four misdemeanor convictions, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Atley Price told the court. "We consider him a threat to the community."

Cupp said he is not a flight risk.

Lang said she could not release him on his own recognizance.

Cupp told the court Melissa Bruce, the codefendant, is free, but the judge reminded him she had posted her bond. Lang refused to let Scott Bruce out on his own recognizance.

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=21306

Mom Pleads Insanity in Child's Death

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - The attorney representing Melissa Bruce on charges related to the death of her daughter told La Porte Superior Court 1 Judge Kathleen Lang Thursday he has filed notice of an insanity defense.

Bruce is facing four counts of neglect of a dependent child, and is out on bail. She and her husband, Scott Bruce, were arrested Sept. 19 when the body of her 4-year-old daughter, Savannah Pioch, was found in the couple's townhouse apartment in Tall Timbers, 2061 Springland Ave.

Lang told Charles Nightingale, a Valparaiso attorney who appeared in court with Bruce on Thursday, the court will appoint medical professionals to evaluate Bruce and submit reports. The next court appearance was set for April 2.

Deputy Prosecutor Atley Price said there are many definitions of legal insanity, which differs from medical insanity. In cases of legal insanity, medical professionals are asked to determine whether or not a person was insane at the time the offense was committed.

To claim legal insanity, the defense must show that Bruce was not responsible for her actions regarding her daughter because of a mental disease or defect. A person may be convicted of an offense only if guilt is proved beyond a reasonable doubt, Price said. But the burden of proof is on Nightingale to show evidence to support the insanity defense.

The court will appoint two psychologists and one psychiatrist to assess Bruce, according to Price. She is also entitled to hire her own medical professionals.

Following submission of the professionals' reports, Price said, "Anything can happen, up to and including a trial."

[Ang]

OMG!! Insanity?

Is she crazy?

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Melissa Bruce should be in jail
Am I the only one angry over the fact that Melissa Bruce is out on bail? Why? Just because daddy had the money. This young woman is just as guilty as Scott Bruce (or more). She was there. This was her child. While Melissa is out, her child lies cold in a grave, never to enjoy a holiday, a graduation, children of her own. For her to be out on bail is appalling. She should be walking the floor in a jail cell, just like Scott. As for the insanity defense, I hope no one buys this. Judge Lang, are you listening?

By the way, so Scott is depressed (boo hoo).

I hope others are just as angry as I am about this. I hope they both get the maximum sentence. Let's not forget who is cold in a grave and who did it.

Judith Hallin

Michigan City

[Michelle]

Finding a jury for this case is going to be a peach.

edit: pay no attention to my messed-up metaphors. You know what I'm saying

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=43240.95

No sympathy for Bruces
I am in total agreement with the letter from Barbara Gallant ["Mother should await trial in jail," Friday].

Melissa and Scott Bruce are animals and it is a shame and disgrace to our justice system that Melissa Bruce is out walking around. Those two people who [allegedly] did such horrible acts to that child need to have that and worse done to them, and hopefully they will get the "prison justice" I hear people like that get while in jail!

Neither of them are mentally ill and do not deserve to be classified as such. They are animals who gave up every right they had as citizens the day they beat the little girl and left her to suffer and die, as reported.

Sympathy? Are you kidding? Give them the same sympathy they showed that little girl. NONE, NADDA, ZIP.

Karma is a beautiful thing.

Kristi Austin

New Buffalo, Mich.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...&TM=49460.3

Melissa Scott will plead insanity

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Both Scott and Melissa Bruce were in court Thursday morning.

Both are charged with neglect of a dependent in the Sept. 19 death of Melissa's 4-year-old daughter, Savannah Pioch. They were arrested Sept. 19 when Savannah's body was discovered in an upstairs room of the couple's townhouse apartment in Tall Timbers, 2061 Springland Ave.

Then-La Porte County Coroner Dr. Vidya Kora said the child had been beaten, tied up, stuffed into a sleeping bag and left in a room alone without medical care.

Melissa Bruce is planning to enter a plea of insanity and on Thursday in La Porte Superior I Court, Judge Kathleen Lang asked about the psychological and psychiatric evaluations she was to have. Her attorney, Charles Nightingale, said she had an appointment Thursday afternoon and another on April 13. "The next time you're in court these evaluations better be completed," Lang told her.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Atley Price asked whether Nightingale had conveyed discovery information to the psychologists and psychiatrist. Nightingale said he had not.

"So," said Price, "somehow the doctors are supposed to discern her state of mind at the time of the crime when they haven't a clue about the crime."

Nightingale said he would get the information to the doctors.

Melissa Bruce, who is free on bond, will make her next court appearance on May 7.

For Scott Bruce, attorney James Cupp agreed to a Nov. 30 trial date. He expects it to take about five days.

In other business, the court:

• Sentenced Lamumba White to 10 years at the Department of Correction, with five years to be served in work release and five on probation for one count of dealing cocaine. Sentencing was waived for a second count until the last day of probation.

• Sentenced Kentrell Williams to 10 years and 94 days, with credit for 161 days for possession of cocaine and being a habitual offender. Six years of his sentence are to be served in the Department of Correction and four are to be suspended and served on probation. Williams is being treated for schizophrenia, he told the judge.

• Heard Tasha L. Frye, 24, plead guilty to her part in the robbery last year of the Family Dollar store, 1428 E. Michigan Blvd. A former assistant manager of the store, she worked with two men to set up the robbery, but she told the court she tried to call it off. She will be sentenced May 7.

• Heard Bonnie Odette Jones say she is waiting for her income tax return check to hire her own attorney. Charged with forgery and with being a habitual offender, she appeared Thursday with public defender Elizabeth Flynn, who told the judge Jones is expecting more than $7,000.