Amanda Reyer - 2017

A Limestone County woman accused of intentionally scalding her two children in a bathtub in 2015 has a history of self-mutilation, learning disabilities and suicidal thoughts, her defense attorney said in seeking a court ordered mental evaluation for his client.

On Feb. 14, Limestone Circuit Judge Robert Baker granted a request for the exam from E. Patrick Hill of Huntsville, the attorney for Amanda Marie Reyer, 24, of 300 Bullington Road, Athens.

Questions competency

In his request to the court, Hill also said Reyer may not have been competent to waive her Miranda rights at the time of her arrest on June 17. Miranda rights are one’s right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Reyer and her boyfriend, Derrick Lynn Defoe, 31, of 19235 Easter Ferry Road, Athens, are accused of scalding her two children, a boy and a girl, in the bathtub of their former home in the 21000 block of Tillman Mill Road in June 2015. Both are awaiting trial on two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse and two counts of first-degree domestic violence.

The girl, who was 2 ½ at the time, suffered second- and third-degree burns over 80 percent of her body. Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones said at the time the child was in water up to her neck.

The boy, who was 5 at the time, suffered second- and third-degree burns over 30 percent of his body.

Jones said at the time the District Attorney’s Office believed the scalding was intentional.

Reyer had taken the girl to Athens-Limestone Hospital the evening of June 13 or 14 and claimed she fell into a hot tub. The report triggered an investigation that showed the boy had also been scalded.

The girl spent months in critical condition in the burn unit at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati before being released.

Seeking 2nd opinion

In his request to the court, Hill said a doctor had previously examined Reyer on behalf of the state (which is represented by the District Attorney’s Office). Hill said Reyer does not agree with the doctor’s evaluation.

Hill said another exam is needed to determine Reyer’s current mental condition and her competency to stand trial. He requested Dr. Stacy Ikard, a psychologist licensed to practice in Alabama.

Although Reyer’s trial is currently set for May 1 and her plea date for April 19, at which time she could plead guilty and possibly receive a lesser sentence, those dates could be pushed back. Attorneys may not be ready to try the case in May, and there are other trials scheduled for the same day that could take the entire trial week.

Reyer remains in Limestone County Jail with bail set at $100,000.

No trial date has been set for Defoe, who remains jailed in Limestone with bail set at $170,000.