Madras mother’s plea deal in infant’s death sparks debate

A Madras mother pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree mistreatment in the death of her 1-year old daughter, Katerina Austria.

Raine Austria was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years probation during her sentencing in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday.

She has already served 171 days.

The toddler was found dead one morning in March 2015.

“I think it’s really sad that the baby went through that torment,” Madras resident Judy Wicker said Thursday.

According to the indictment, Austria and her husband, 20-year-old Garry Vineyard, “did unlawfully and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate food, physical care or medical attention.”

Madras residents we talked to are upset with the sentencing.

“One hundred and eighty days is a slap on the wrist,” Wickert said.

The couple’s neighbor, Ruth Smith, was equally mad about the ruling.

“It’s not fair for the child, it’s not fair for the community,” Smith said.

Jefferson County District Attorney Steve Lariche declined to comment on the case. The senior deputy DA Brentley Foster told NewsChannel 21: “In light of the way the investigation developed, it’s the appropriate resolution.”

Foster said she could not comment on the details because the co-defendant’s case was still pending.

“Yeah, they’re very disgusted,” Smith said. “The DA needs to figure what he did wrong.”

Six of the eight counts against Austria were dropped, including murder by abuse and manslaughter.

Her lawyer, Karla Nash, told NewsChannel 21 the evidence in the case against her client was “weak” and the medical examiner never determined the cause of death.

A neighbor and former friend of the couple told NewsChannel 21 he had his suspicions and said something with the couple seemed off.