Bond set for Tensas father accused in son’s death

Published 12:00 am Friday, April 27, 2001

ST. JOSEPH, La. – Bond was set Thursday in Sixth Judicial District Court for a man accused of first-degree murder in the death of his newborn son.

Judge Michael Lancaster set bond at $25,000 for Andrew Wade Miller, 26. Miller and the baby’s mother, 22-year-old April Elise Hrenko, both of Texas Road near Waterproof, were arrested late last month on charges of first-degree murder in the March 8 death of the infant.

As of Thursday afternoon, Miller had not made bond and was still being held at the Tensas Parish Jail.

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Hrenko was being held at the Richland Parish Detention Center in Rayville with no bond.

&uot;The judge also delayed Miller’s preliminary hearing, and a date hasn’t been set for that yet,&uot; said Assistant District Attorney Jim Paxton.

Miller and Hrenko were arrested by state police in Shreveport, where &160;Hrekno was hospitalized due to loss of blood from childbirth.

Both were charged with first-degree murder, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On March 13, Hrenko was transported to a local hospital and treated for heavy bleeding due to natural childbirth.

Tensas Parish Sheriff Rickey Jones said he learned about the birth March 15 from child protective services.

Two days later, Hrenko told authorities where the baby’s body could be found – in a closet of the couple’s residence.

Jones, whose office is investigating the case along with the Louisiana State Police, has refused to go into specifics about where the baby was found or how he died but did say that &uot;we do know the child was alive at birth.&uot;

Hrenko was released into the custody of Tensas Parish sheriff’s deputies March 20, was booked and was then transported to the Richland Parish.

Doctors’ reports estimate Hrenko was seven to eight months pregnant when she gave birth.