Lincoln woman charged with child abuse after her 2-year-old son fell out of window

Apr. 10—A Lincoln woman was charged Wednesday after her 2-year-old son fell through a second-floor window in February, causing a skull fracture, according to court documents.

Breanna Abbott, 31, was charged with child abuse, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

On Feb. 6, Lincoln Police Department officers and Lincoln Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a residence in the 900 block of Washington Street after a 2-year-old child fell out a second-floor window.

When first responders arrived, they made contact with Abbott, who was caring for four children, including the 2-year-old boy, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Police received consent from Abbott to search her home. Officers were able to smell marijuana coming from inside the residence, the affidavit says.

During the search, officers discovered baggies with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, police say.

Abbott told police that she was inside her bedroom when she began to hear the 2-year-old crying. She exited her bedroom and looked for the child but could not find him.

According to the affidavit, she eventually noticed a living room window open, which had a couch placed directly below it.

Abbott left her apartment and found the boy lying on the grass, unconscious and having difficulty breathing, police say.

The boy was taken to Bryan West Campus, where staff found he had a skull fracture requiring immediate medical treatment. The boy was transferred to a children's hospital in Omaha.

Police believe that Abbott was in her bedroom smoking meth with two other individuals when the 2-year-old fell through the window.

The home was equipped with surveillance equipment, and police suspect Abbott deleted the surveillance footage from the day of the incident, according to the affidavit.

Police say all four of Abbott's children had hair samples tested, and they all came back positive for meth.

On Tuesday, Abbott was arrested at the Hall of Justice, 575 S. 10th St.

Judge Timothy Phillips set Abbott's percentage bond at $700,000, meaning she would have to pay $70,000 to be released.

A condition of her bond is she cannot have contact with her children.

Abbott is being held at the Lancaster County jail.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or avargas@journalstar.com.

On Twitter @Alex_Vargas1994

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