News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Attorney Bill Pfeifer and Alcona County Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Reed speak to Judge Laura Frawley on Tuesday in the Alcona County Courtroom.

HARRISVILLE — Nickolas Corey, 23, had a status conference hearing Tuesday in the 23rd Circuit Court in Alcona County where new evidence potentially changing the trajectory of the case was discussed.

Corey is charged with one count of first degree child abuse.

In January, The News reported that Sabrina Horton, 22, and Corey were both arrested for charges linked to a child abuse case that began on May 24, 2025.

Horton was initially charged with one count of first-degree child abuse in Alcona County.

At Corey’s preliminary examination in February, The News reported that the victim in the alleged abuse was Corey and Horton’s three month old infant. Corey and Horton were previously a couple.

It was alleged that Corey was awake with his three month old infant on the night of May 22. On the morning of May 23, the child was struggling to breathe, was cold to the touch, and had his arms sticking straight out in front of him with clenched fists. Horton called 911 and the child was transported to MyMichigan Medical Center Tawas. From there, the infant was transported to Hurley Medical Center in Flint, and then to University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Carla Parkin-Joseph, child abuse pediatrician at C.S. Mott testified during the examination that the most consistent diagnosis, in relation to the injuries identified for the child, would be child physical abuse or abusive head trauma.

Abusive head trauma is the term now used for what was formerly called shaken baby syndrome.

Horton was formerly charged with first degree child abuse, but that charge was dismissed in a plea deal on Feb. 20, when she waived her right to a preliminary examination.

Horton will be sentenced following Corey’s trial for a charge of using computers to commit a crime and a charge of accessory after the fact to a felony.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Corey’s jury trial date, which is set for Aug. 19, was negotiated after Alcona County Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Reed told the court there was additional evidence that had just been released. Corey’s defense counsel Bill Pfeifer said he had just received that discovery from Reed but had not had a chance to look at it yet.

Judge Laura Frawley said that there is a large volume of evidence, possibly video footage and screenshots, that had been discussed in chambers prior to the hearing.

Discussing something ‘in chambers’ means that attorneys discuss case details with the judge without that going on the public record.

“We are moving forward…we did recently receive some new information and evidence that we’ve been waiting on that most likely changes the trajectory of how we handle this case,” Reed said.

She said there is a chance the case will be resolved before trial.

Reed and Pfeiffer told Frawley that they both wanted the trial moved to a later date than Aug. 19. The later date was scheduled for mid-September. Pfeifer said he could have a final status conference on Aug. 11, to which Frawley replied why they would need to move the trial date if they could review all the new evidence by Aug. 11.

Frawley re-set the trial date back to Aug. 19, and the final status conference prior to trial is set for 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 11.

JOSHUA DOHRING AND CASSANDRA QUINTANILLA

Joshua Dohring, 40, and Cassandra Quintanilla, 36, had pre-trial hearings on Tuesday in the 23rd Circuit Court in Alcona County.

Dohring is charged with assault with intent to murder, and Quintanilla is charged with accessory after the fact to a felony and two counts of lying to a peace officer – violent crime investigation. They are co-defendants for an alleged stabbing that occurred on May 14 in Mikado.

Reed said that additional charges may be filed for Dohring that are related to his behavior since his arrest. At this time there are no additional charges expected for Quintanilla. Reed has 14 days to amend the charges.

So far there are no offers for a resolution on the table in Dohring’s case, Reed said.

Dohring’s attorney Pfeifer demanded a jury trial which he said he expects to take at least three days.

A joinder of Quintanilla and Dohring’s trial is yet to be discussed between the attorneys. A joinder means that Quintanilla and Dohring would have one trial at the same time instead of two separate trials to address their charges.

Dohring and Quintanilla will be back for a continued pre-trial hearing at 10 a.m. on Aug. 11.

STEVEN STEVENS SENTENCING

Steven Stevens, 57, was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison for two charges of first degree criminal sexual conduct of a person under 13 years old and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for three charges of first degree criminal sexual conduct — relationship. Those sentences will be served concurrently.

Stevens also signed a document permanently relinquishing his parental rights over the survivor.

The News does not name survivors of sexual assault.

Reagan Voetberg. News Staff Writer. rvoetberg@thealpenanews.com.