Trial for Buckley Mom Accused of Applying Bleach to Daughter's Eyes Scheduled for Aug. 5

With additional reporting by Lauren Padgett.

More than a year after a Buckley woman was arrested on suspicion of pouring bleach into her then 14-month-old daughter's eyes, the now 3-year-old girl is adjusting and doing well overall, but continues to have bad days.

A family member, who didn't want their name to be used because they didn't want to jeopardize the pending court case, told Patch this week that Jennifer L. Mothershead's daughter still has trouble with light and can't go outside. She spends most of her time indoors with the blinds drawn and when she needs to go somewhere, has to sit in the car with a blanket over her head. 

Mothershead was arrested in April 2012 and charged in Pierce County court with first-degree assault after medical staff at Harborview treated the girl for a head injury but also found bruising and an eye infection.

When asked about the eye infection, Mothershead allegedly told police she had been given eye drops for it. When the child was put in protective custody for the head injury after abuse was suspected, hospital staff opened the eyedrop container and smelled a strong odor. The contents of the drops were tested and later determined to contain bleach.

Since her arrest, the girl has been removed from Mothershead's care. Up until about a week ago, Mothershead had been working as a custodian at CJ Stables in Enumclaw. CJ Stables owner Chris Barkhurst said her duties involved cleaning stalls and handling feed. Barkhurst said he was very aware of Mothershead's pending criminal case and the limitations set forth on what contact she could have with minors. Her shifts were purposefully scheduled so that she was not on site when minors were present, he said, and her basic duties did not include interaction with children. The reason for her termination, Barkhurst said, was not related to her case.

Patch contacted Deputy Prosecutor Cara Sanchez Friday to find out what contact Mothershead can have with children while she awaits trial on her first-degree assault charges. Her office reported Monday conditions of Mothershead's release specified no contact with minors, including her other children. There was one exception but the office couldn't provide details on what that was.

With regards to Mothershead's trial, spokesperson for the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office Kelly Kelstrup told Patch that a continuance was just held Friday, May 31 and that a status conference hearing is scheduled for two weeks from now on June 14. The jury trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 5.

The family member expressed frustration with the delay, but according to the Prosecutor's office, the continuances in Mothershead's case have not been atypical.