Prosecutor: 2-year-old only child targeted for abuse

Of the six children who lived with Glen Bates and Andrea Bradley, only 2-year-old Glenara was severely mistreated, prosecutors said Monday.

"It was a constant state of neglect and a constant state of them lashing out at (Glenara)," said Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Rick Gibson. "The other children were not subjected to this kind of abuse and neglect."

Bates, 32, pleaded not guilty Monday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court to charges including aggravated murder in Glenara's death. He faces the death penalty.

Judge Megan Shanahan ordered him held without bond at the Hamilton County jail.

Prosecutors also are seeking the death penalty against Glenara's mother, 28-year-old Bradley, who faces the same charges. Her arraignment is expected Wednesday.

Bates and Bradley told police they had been together about two years, Gibson said. Bates, he said, lived at Bradley's home in East Walnut Hills with six of Bradley's children, including Glenara. The children ranged in age from 1 to 8. The other children are now in foster care. Another of Bradley's children, officials said, lives with Bates' relatives.

Bradley is pregnant with her eighth child. Officials said she has children with four fathers, including Bates.

Both Bates and Bradley have admitted abusing Glenara, according to court documents.

One of Bates' attorneys, Norm Aubin, said in an interview that he is still gathering information about the case. He also said he plans to consult with experts, including people who specialize in injuries to children.

"The worst thing in the world is to jump to a conclusion at this stage," Aubin said.

Bates and Bradley were arrested March 29, the same day Bradley brought Glenara to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The child was "cold, limp and lifeless," Gibson said. Glenara was pronounced dead at the hospital.

She weighed 13 pounds and had bite marks, numerous lacerations as well as marks from being whipped with a belt, according to the coroner.

In December, she was treated at a local hospital for being malnourished, Gibson said. Hospital staff, he said, tried to explain to Bradley that Glenara needed to eat more.

Bradley, he said, "seemed to think the child was … overweight."

Both Bradley and Bates "had a responsibility to this child," he said. "They horribly failed to live up to that responsibility."