This is the most recent information I have been able to find on the medical status of Emmaline Manning and the legal status of her accused abuser.  This was written by Frank Zufall and published on Spooner Online (Spooner Gazette) on December 5, 2007. 

“Michael Stoner, 26, of Spooner stood mute Thursday, Nov. 29, in Washburn County Court when St. Croix County Circuit Court Judge Scott Needham, speaking over a video conferencing system, asked Stoner how he pleaded to the three charges against him. The charges relate to allegations of physically abusing a 2-year-old Spooner girl, Emma Manning.

“When Stoner did not respond, Needhman entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ on Stoner’s behalf.

“Stoner is charged with two felonies: first-degree recklessly endangering safety and recklessly causing great harm through child abuse. He is also charged with a misdemeanor for resisting or obstructing an officer.

“The state alleges Stoner harmed Manning, the daughter of his fiancee, Crystal Manning, 21, on Aug. 1.  Emma was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, where she was admitted in critical condition.  Washburn County District Attorney Michael Bitney said her condition has improved a little and she has been transferred to Gillette Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., for rehabilitation.

“‘She continues to have significant deficiencies, and time will tell just how far she will come back,’ said Bitney.

“Stoner’s lawyer, Jay Heit, submitted two motions to Needham. The judge denied a motion to reduce bail from $50,000 but said he would consider another motion for change of venue due to alleged pre-trial publicity.  Washburn County Circuit Judge Eugene Harrington heard Stoner's pretrial hearing on Aug. 25.  On Aug. 27, Heit had submitted a request for substitution of a different judge.  On Oct. 3, Needham was assigned to hear the case.

“Stoner continues to be held in custody, pending posting bail, at the Washburn County Jail.  The next court date for Stoner is a motion hearing on Jan. 18.”

I have also found another piece of information about this case that I missed during the first few days of media reporting.  This is from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, JS Online (August 14, 2007).  According to writer Jim Stingl, Cindy Manning, Emmaline’s grandmother told him the following at that time:

"‘Isn't that something? God was trying to wake them up’,"   According to Stingl, Cindy Manning said that “she tried many times herself to wake up Crystal and get her to dump Michael Stoner Jr. for good. A few times she helped her daughter move out of apartments she shared with him, but she always went back and forgave his transgressions and bad temper.

“Cindy Manning said she had been raising Emma, but Crystal and the child moved in with Stoner's family this year. She noticed a negative change in Crystal's personality since then, and she feared for her granddaughter's safety.”

According to Stingl, “Stoner, who is divorced and has two children from previous relationships, is a convicted felon on a burglary case, and he has other convictions for battery, disorderly conduct, damaging property and impersonating a peace officer.

As they say on Cops, the TV show, “suspects are always innocent until found guilty by a court of law”.  I really hope that Mr. Stoner is innocent.  But if he is guilty I hope he receives the maximum sentence available under law.