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HARRISVILLE -- Aaron Trout's trial is postponed until Wednesday so jurors and those attending court can rest and heal from exposure to COVID-19.
Two of the jurors tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 6.
Trout is facing murder and child abuse charges for the alleged killing of 2-year-old Jayde McDonnell, the child of former girlfriend Adrienne Pavelka.
According to police officers' testimonies during an October 2022 murder hearing, Pavelka and her three daughters moved in with Trout after he and Pavela dated for several months. Two of the three children moved to live elsewhere and 2-year-old McDonnell stayed.
Detective Sgt. Anthony Utt of the Michigan State Police-Alpena Post said Pavelka alleges Trout previously gave McDonnell a black eye and that he prevented her from leaving so it would not be discovered.
Weeks went by and Trout allegedly continued to abuse McDonnell until he swung the toddler into a wall by the ankle, then swung her into the air on July 18, 2022, leaving the child bleeding, injured, and unconscious.
No medical attention was given to McDonnell for several days and by July 22, Trout drove her and Pavelka to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena because, according to court testimony, the child appeared dead.
Pavelka pleaded guilty to a first-degree child abuse charge and prosecutors agreed to dismiss a second child abuse charge and a homicide-felony murder charge.
Pavelka also testified in Trout's trial on Nov. 29 and testified about the details of Trout's alleged abuse and assault on McDonnell.