A judge has denied a request for bond reduction and pre-trial release for an Atlantic woman involved in a scheme to make her 5-year old daughter appear to be sick with cancer, and solicit money for treatment never rendered.

Leatha Kay Slauson enters the courtroom accompanied by Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren. (Ric Hanson/photo)

In denying the request by 30-year old Leatha Kaye Slauson and her attorney Jay Mez, 4th District Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Larson today (Monday) said Slauson continues to pose a risk to the community. The judge said was not concerned about her being a flight risk, though. Even so, her bond remains at $35,000, and Slauson will continue to be held in the Cass County Jail. A No contact order remains in place for Slauson, who is not allowed to have any contact with her children.

Slauson appeared in court dressed in a Cass County Corrections orange and white-striped uniform, her long blonde hair in a ponytail, which featured reddish-pink highlights. Attorney Jay Mez had proposed Slauson be released and reside with her mother in Hampton, IA., but the judge rejected that request because the “Charges are very serious in nature and assaultive in nature.” Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner, requested bond continue.

Slauson, who entered a written plea of Not Guilty to the charges, faces 20 counts, including one count of drug distribution to a person under 18, two counts of child endangerment causing bodily injury, two counts of administering harmful substances, two counts of assault while committing a felony, two counts of domestic abuse and 10 counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs, and one count of Theft in the 1st degree. Online records say the alleged offenses date back to September 2013.

Slauson had claimed her 5-year-old daughter Riley was dying from colorectal cancer. Authorities learned the girl wasn’t sick, when officials with the Atlantic Community School District looked for medical records showing how to best deal with her condition after she registered to attend school. Courts documents say Slauson inserted a feeding tube through the nose and into the stomach of her daughter to administer cannabis oil, and injected a drug called Neupogen without any medical advice. Neupogen helps the body produce white blood cells, and is used during chemotherapy. It can cause muscle and joint pain, cramping, stiffness and bodily injury.

The Theft charge filed against Leatha Slauson is with regard to the thousands of dollars raised by the community of Atlantic and others, to help pay for the girls’ medical expenses and send the family on a trip to Disney World.

Slauson’s Pre-Trial Conference is still set for October 13th, while her trial is slated to begin November 12th.