Grandmom accused of child abuse gets lower bond

Becky Tortellet, the Tucson grandmother accused of keeping her 9-year-old grandson in a closet, was given a lower bond Monday.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Hantman agreed to lower Tortellet's bond from $50,000 to $10,000.

Tortellet's attorney, Assistant Pima County Legal Defender Samuel Washington, had said in a motion that the first bond was excessive.

Washington said Tortellet has lived in Tucson since December and hopes to regain custody of her two grandchildren. She has a "sound mental condition" and no criminal history, Washington noted.

Deputy County Attorney Shawn Jensvold opposed any release or bond reduction.

"(Becky Tortellet) kept her grandson locked in a closet almost full-time for months, resulting in his developing a likely deforming condition," Jensvold wrote in a motion.

Jensvold said prosecutors won't offer any plea that makes probation available instead of a prison term.

Tortellet and her husband, Larry, are accused of keeping their 9-year-old grandson in their bedroom closet in their home in the 6700 block of South Iberia Avenue. The grandson's sibling had his own room.

The boy, nearly 10, told deputies "the only thing in the closet is his sleeping bag and that he only wears a diaper while in the closet," Detective Miguel Flores told Pima County Superior Court Commissioner Sharon Douglas in a court document.

The Tortellets were indicted on two charges each of child abuse of a person younger than 18 with death or serious injury likely and two charges each of kidnapping.

Larry Tortellet was set to be arraigned Monday, but his court appearance was delayed until Thursday.