by Nancy McGill, The Milford Times

    Lucas Peterson, Bee, has pleaded not guilty to child abuse, death of a child and unlawful burial, the charges filed against him in the January death of his daughter, Trista Peterson.
     He was arraigned in Seward County District Court May 14. A jury trial was set for Oct. 22 through 26, beginning at 9:30 a.m. each day.
     The court set Peterson's bond for 100 percent of $100,000 cash.
     Court documents filed May 11 by Seward County Attorney Wendy Elston stated Peterson endangered the child's life which resulted in her death Jan. 3.
     The second charge accuses Peterson of burying the child "in any place other than a regular place for burial and under a proper death certificate."
     Trista was reported missing in the early part of January and for approximately three months, no one knew where she was. The coronor's report said she died of severe multiple blunt-force trauma to the head, neck and trunk shortly before her first birthday.
     Peterson led officers to her grave in rural Butler County the night of April 12.
     Charges of child abuse, death of child and tampering with evidence, filed in Seward County Court April 24, have been dismissed.
     May 22, Peterson was in county court on charges of third degree assault, attempted strangulation, criminal mischief, obstructing a peace officer and unlawful display of plates. All charges were continued until June 5. He is scheduled to appear in court at 11:30 a.m.