The teenager accused of killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter appeared in Hennepin County District Court on Tuesday for the first time since being certified for trial as an adult.
Minneapolis 18-year-old has first hearing as an adult in 2-year-old's death
Cody Feran-Baum, now 18, is accused of killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old.
September 16, 2015 at 5:01AM
In June, Cody Feran-Baum, then 17, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Sophia O'Neill, his girlfriend's daughter. Earlier this month, Feran-Baum, now 18, waived his right to remain in juvenile court.
In court Tuesday, prosecutors said Feran-Baum has had frequent contact with Sophia's mother, Sunshine Smith, via phone and mail.
Feran-Baum spent most of the hearing with his head down, often wiping the corner of his eyes.
Judge William Koch set bail at $1 million without conditions. He ordered Feran-Baum not to have direct or indirect contact with Smith or her immediate family, and also no direct contact with minors without an adult present.
After Sophia's death, Feran-Baum told police that he had kicked her in the back and stomped on her stomach when she wouldn't stop crying, according to the charges against him. The attack tore her organs in half and broke her ribs. Feran-Baum had been babysitting the girl in the south Minneapolis home of his grandmother, Barbara Whetstone.
Feran-Baum, the girl and her mother had been staying at his and Whetstone's home in the 3800 block of 30th Avenue S., where the fatal beating occurred. Feran-Baum and Smith had been dating for about a year.
Feran-Baum's next court date will be Oct. 14.
Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647 Twitter: @KarenAnelZamora
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