$100K bond for woman accused of mutilating infant

Katherine Nadal, the woman accused of cutting her infant son's genitals off and blaming the mutilation on the family dog, made a court appearance yesterday — but police say they still don't have a motive in the case. Not much really happened during the hearing: Nadal, 25, in handcuffs and in tears, told state District Judge Denise Collins that she doesn't have a job and has no money to hire an attorney, so Collins said she would appoint an attorney today. Collins set Nadal's bail at $100,000; as Nadal was leaving the courtroom, she mouthed "I love you" to her mother.

Nadal was arrested Friday in connection with the March 13 attack, which she initially told police happened while she was sleeping. Police say she used a sharp instrument to "cut and remove" the genitals of her five-week-old son, Holden Gothia, but Nadal said the family's dachsund was to blame. However, a CPS caseworker testified last month that the injuries and scene weren't consistent with a dog attack. What investigators haven't found out yet is why Nadal would have attacked Holden, though prosecutor Lisa Andrews — who recounted Nadal's history of drug abuse during yesterday's hearing — suggested cocaine might have had something to do with it. "She tested positive for cocaine the day after the offense so it's certainly possible," Andrews told the AP. Holden's father, Camden Gothia, said Holden had been colicky and crying for several days before the attack.

Holden Gothia was released from the custody of Harris County CPS late last month and will live with his aunt until permanent custody can be decided.