A Concord mother charged last week in the death of her 2-month-old son is out of jail.
Kayla Austin, 21, appeared Wednesday in Merrimack County Superior Court for a bail hearing. Her grandfather Joseph Pitrone posted the $20,000 cash required for her release after securing a personal bank loan, according to a signed affidavit.
According to Merrimack County jail records, Austin was released into the community Wednesday after her court hearing. She is on electronic monitoring and is under the supervision of the county’s pre-trial services program.
Pitrone signed an affidavit with the court May 19, stating that the funds for Austin’s release were legally obtained. The source of the $20,000 bond was discussed as part of the court hearing.
Austin is charged with negligent homicide, manslaughter and prohibited conduct in connection with the death of her infant son in Penacook in August 2016. The infant’s father, Bradford Ross, remains incarcerated on the same charges.
The state medical examiner determined the boy died of methamphetamine intoxication.
Authorities responded to a travel camper parked at 54 Penacook St. on Aug. 1 after receiving a report of an infant who was not breathing. While on scene, police said they observed drug paraphernalia inside the camper and sought a search warrant.
Ross told police the family had been living in the camper about two weeks on property owned by Pitrone, according to an affidavit.
The couple’s second child, a 2-year-old girl, is in the care of her maternal grandmother, according to police. Concord police Lt. Sean Ford said the state’s Division for Children, Youth and Families became involved Aug. 1, when the infant was found unresponsive and later died at Concord Hospital.
Police initially arrested and charged Austin and Ross in early August with felony drug charges while continuing to investigate the infant’s death. Nine months later, authorities levied homicide charges against the couple.
Austin first qualified for pre-trial services after her arrest on drug possession and distribution charges.
According to her most recent bail conditions, she cannot travel outside New Hampshire without the permission of pre-trial services. She is subject to random drug tests and a curfew, and must maintain employment. She must also maintain daily contact with program staff and attend all meetings and classes, and she cannot have any contact with Ross.
The next court hearing in Austin’s case will be held June 26 in Concord.
(Alyssa Dandrea can be reached at 369-3319, adandrea@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @_ADandrea.)