A public defender will now represent former First United Methodist Church daycare worker Nina Morgan as she appeals her conviction and sentence.
Attorney Michael Thompson asked Judge John Atkins to appoint the Office of Public Advocacy to represent Nina Morgan.
Judge John Atkins declined to make an immediate ruling on Thompson’s request for shock probation for Morgan, but did grant her a public defender.
Morgan was found guilty by a jury of a single count of criminal abuse in the third-degree—a misdemeanor—and the jury was unable to agree on a sentence for her. Judge Atkins imposed the maximum sentence of one year in jail in July.
Allison Simpson, another former daycare worker who was convicted of 12 counts of first-degree criminal child abuse, three counts of second-degree child abuse and 12 counts of third-degree criminal child abuse, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison by Judge Atkins.
Former daycare director Abby Leach and former pastor Paige Williams are awaiting trial for their alleged roles in not protecting the children in their care.