Man accused in infant beating death posts bond

Joshua Mobley, who is accused of beating a 10-month-old baby to death, posted bond Tuesday afternoon.

His release came a day after a judge agreed to lower Mobley’s bail to $250,000 – half of the $500,000 originally set last week.

Mobley’s attorney argued in court Monday that the 28-year-old had no prior criminal history, was gainfully employed and had strong ties to the Spokane community. In his petition, Mobley included 14 written statements from friends and family, many of whom were present in court Monday in a packed courtroom for his bond reduction hearing.

“These charges come as a shock to them because they are completely out of character,” said defense attorney Carl Oreskovich.

Also in court was the family of the victim, 10-month-old Caiden Henry, and the family’s friends. Prosecutors accused Mobley of killing Henry during a baby-sitting session and then concealing the death from the mother and her family.

An autopsy revealed Henry died of internal bleeding and brain hemorrhaging, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Prosecutor Deric Martin argued for bail to remain between $250,000 and $500,000, saying that he agreed with the defense’s assertion that Mobley had no criminal history and was responsible, but had issues with the severity of the crime.

“This is about the most serious offense we have, involving the most vulnerable victim we have,” he said.

Judge Gregory Tripp agreed with the state, but said he also thought the prosecutor’s original recommendation of $250,000, which was increased by a different judge in Mobley’s first court appearance, was the appropriate amount.

“The thing that concerns me is the attempting to conceal the death,” he said in court. “That weighs quite heavily.”

When the judge announced the reduced bond, Henry’s mother, Crystal Henry, became visibly upset and stormed out of the courtroom.