A man accused of abusing a child was brought to trial and faced 15 years in prison

LIBERTY, Mo. (KCTV) – Robyn Warner stood in court Tuesday facing the man she accuses of abusing her now 4-month-old daughter.

Johnny Bonacorso is accused of child abuse and neglect of Willow Warner. Her mother says the abuse left Willow nearly brain dead.

PREVIOUS READ: ‘It’s a miracle’: four-month-old baby on the road to recovery after abuse

Robyn Warner says she came to the Clay County Courthouse because she wanted Bonacorso to know she won’t stop fighting until there is justice for her daughter.

Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, but Bonacorso told the judge he was waiting to be assigned a public defender. He still pleads not guilty. The hearing on Bonacorso’s bonds was postponed to Tuesday, October 22.

Bonacorso lived temporarily with Warner. At one point the two were friends through his girlfriend, but she passed away earlier this year.

Bonacorso watched baby Willow at night while Robyn worked.

After seeing the same man she once considered a friend led away in chains, Warner says this kind of betrayal cannot go unpunished.

“He hurt a child, that’s the most sickening thing I’ve ever heard,” Warner said. “In my life, and for him to do it to my child, I want to make sure he stays where he is and gets everything he deserves. He looked guilty, he couldn’t stop moving or sit still all the time. He kept looking at his hands and fighting with his hands. I’ve never seen someone 100% innocent who can’t sit still.”

“The only one to blame is Johnny,” argued Robyn’s longtime friend Susan Thompson. “And we want to make sure she knows we’re here for her, we’re here for Willow and we’re going to see this through to the end.”

Warner says she will continue to come to court, demand justice and ensure there is no chance of Bonacorso being released on bail.

PREVIOUS READ: Kansas City man charged in serious child abuse case involving baby girl

If convicted, Bonacorso could face a maximum of 15 years in prison. He will remain in custody at the Clay County Detention Center until his next hearing.

KCTV heard more positive news about baby Willow’s recovery. Her EEG leads have been removed as her brain continues to heal. Warner finally gets the chance to see her whole face again.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.