Jury trial set in the case against one of the two woman accused of child abuse at MCAS, tentative for next April

With no plea agreement in sight, the court sets eight-week trial for Valerie McKinstry

YUMA, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - In what was expected to be a status update Wednesday morning, suddenly turned into a scheduled trial in the case against two former Child Development Center employees accused of child abuse.

Valerie McKinstry appeared in Yuma County Superior Court for a status hearing, but left the courtroom knowing she may be facing a jury next April.

In what has been a long process given the amount of disclosure that both state prosecutors and defense lawyers have had to sift through, it was expected on Wednesday that the child abuse case would again be set out for another status hearing.

But state prosecutor Mary White stated to the court that all documents and videos have been disclosed and open discussions for a plea offer were in place - yet she claimed the state is concerned the two sides may not come to an agreement on a plea.

Therefore, she requested to set trial dates so they can work towards the goal of a potential plea deal, setting aside eight-weeks next year with an already backed up trial schedule.

Judge David Haws granted the request and set a tentative jury trial schedule - starting in April 2023 and lasting through the first week of June 2023.

While a trial has been set, a status hearing on the matter is set for early November as both sides continue to work through countless hours of evidence and try to work through the plea offer.

McCombs will appear in court Thursday morning. It is unknown at this time if the same will happen in her case.

McKinstry and Katherine McCombs, both 28-years-old, are charged with a combined 20 counts of child abuse. McKinstry is facing 13 counts, while McCombs faces seven counts of the same charges.

Both defendants, who worked with children at the Child Development Center (CDC) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (MCAS), have been accused of imposing known physical harm and intentional danger to multiple children.

According to the official police report obtained by News 11, the number of victims allegedly abused is at least 13.

MCAS learned of the alleged abuse back in late February 2021. After reviewing surveillance camera footage inside the Child Development Center, MCAS then notified the Yuma Police Department which then led to the arrests of the suspects and a full investigation.

MCAS is providing no comment at this time as criminal proceedings unfold.