Prosecutors drop request for new judge

DIXON – Lee County prosecutors decided Wednesday to stick with the presiding judge in the case of Tiffany Fassler, of Dixon, charged in her 7-year-old stepson’s death.

They filed a motion in September to remove Associate Judge Jacquelyn Ackert and a second judge from the case.

During a short hearing Wednesday, Assistant State’s Attorney Peter Buh asked to pull the motion after speaking with newly elected State’s Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller. Ackert granted the request.

Fassler has a hearing Jan. 9 on a motion to modify her bond in relation to supervised visitation she has with her son.

The 37-yearold is charged with one count of first-degree murder and four counts of  of child battery in the death of Colton Fassler. Prosecutors say she kicked him in the chest on Dec. 30, 2010; he hit his head on a metal vanity, suffered brain damage and died nearly a year later. 

She was charged in June 2011 with two counts of aggravated battery. Buh dropped that case Wednesday because those charges are included in a later indictment.

She will remain free on $10,000 bond.