Preliminary hearings scheduled for North Logan women accused of child abuse

Bonnie Third, 54, is being charged with child abuse, a second-degree felony.

LOGAN — Preliminary hearings for two North Logan women accused of child abuse have been scheduled for August 7.

Cindy Bullock, 33, and Bonnie Third, 54, appeared in 1st District Court Monday morning. Both are being charged with child abuse, a second-degree felony. Bullock is also facing a charge of retaliation against a witness, a third-degree felony.

Bullock and Third along with Merritt Smith, 31, and Quinton James Smith, 31, are accused of spanking a seven-year-old child in a type of ritual called the “whipping tunnel.” In this type of punishment, the child was forced to crawl underneath the adults as they stood above him and spanked him with their hand or an object.

In May when the charges were filed, Cache County Attorney James Swink said the child reportedly had multiple layers of bruising on his body when he was taken into state custody by Child and Family Services.

During August’s preliminary hearing, the prosecution will present evidence in the charges Bullock and Third are facing. A judge will determine if there is probable cause for the two to stand trial.

A preliminary hearing for Merritt Smith has been scheduled for July 29.

Quinton Smith is due back in court July 21 for a pretrial conference.

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