Allegedly absent Bend day care operator enters not-guilty pleas

A 31-year-old unlicensed Bend day care operator, accused of leaving nearly a dozen children alone in her home for hours during trips to a gym or tanning salon, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the 122 charges against her, including criminal mistreatment and reckless endangerment.

An April 10 trial date was set for January Neatherlin, who entered the pleas during a brief hearing in Deschutes County Circuit Judge Randy Miller’s courtroom, filled with several families with children to observe the proceedings.

Neatherlin, who operated Little Giggles Daycare out of her home, appeared by video from the county jail, where she remains held on $750,000 bail.

It was raised from $500,000 when eight first-degree criminal neglect charges were added in early May to the original 114 charges filed after her March 15 involving the day care at her home on Northeast Blue Bush Court.

A trial readiness hearing also was set, for April 5.