State Drops Charges Against Betts Associate

AUBURN – Nemaha County authorities have dropped child abuse charges against a former Auburn woman who prosecutors say had associated with sexual assault suspect Brian Betts, 51.

Jennifer Castro, 47, earlier entered a not guilty plea to intentionally allowing a child to be sexually abused in 2018.

Deputy Nemaha County Attorney Angelo Ligouri motioned to dismiss the charges against Castro on May 19.

Court records say the motion is due to Castro’s efforts brought about by the juvenile court and her voluntary services with the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Betts remains charged with six counts of sexual assault of a child and seven counts of visual depiction.

In April, District Judge Julie Smith denied Betts’ request for a new attorney. Public Defender Keith Kollasch informed the judge  that the state’s public advocacy lawyers would not take the case.
Betts is scheduled for a court hearing on June 4.