(Kansas City, KS) – A woman who graduated from the Atlantic High School in 2013 and lived in the Atlantic and Marne areas, was being held on bond in the Washington County, KS Jail, on multiple charges associated with the brutal death of her 5-year-old son and beating of her one-year old daughter.

According to the Gage County, NE Sheriff’s Department, 30-year-old Heather (Reyna) Peterson, of Liberty, NE, is charged with felony child abuse and three other misdemeanor charges. An arrest warrant for her was filed on July 31st and she was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service in Kansas City.

Her boyfriend, 31-year-old Timothy Lee Erks, Jr., of Liberty, was being held in the Gage County, NE Jail, also on bond. Erks is charged with committing intentional child abuse to cause death, two additional counts of child abuse, and false imprisonment.

According to deputies, Peterson witnessed much of the abuse her children allegedly suffered under Erks Jr. but failed to alert the authorities due to fear of retaliation. The couple began dating in December 2024 and moved in together a short time later.

Erks was arrested in June after his Peterson’s son was brought to the hospital unresponsive. The boy passed away a week later after being declared brain dead.