A Eureka woman accused of abusing her children between 2023 and 2026 lost her bid for freedom following a recent court hearing.

Dawn M. Bernhard, 44, is facing eight felony charges for her role in the alleged abuse and assaults against two children as well as witness intimidation against two individuals. Her husband, Michael S. Bernhard, is also facing similar charges. He remains in the Lincoln County Detention Center after pleading not guilty during a recent court hearing.

Dawn Bernhard first appeared May 11 in district court and pleaded not guilty to all charges. She appeared May 18 for a bail reduction hearing where her attorney, Sean D. Hinchey argued for her release so she could attend to health care needs.

Hinchey said since Bernhard has been in custody she missed a scheduled appointment for a double mastectomy surgery in Missoula. No evidence was offered as to the actual date of the surgery or when a future surgery may be scheduled.

Prosecutor Lauren O’Neill argued against Bernhard’s release and called three people to testify.

Libby Pre-trial Supervision Officer Vanessa Williamson said she had concerns with where Bernhard may live and her ability to communicate with law enforcement officials in terms of court dates and other matters.

“Where she plans on living is fairly remote and there could be trouble with communication,” Williamson said. “We’re not sure if the residence is a rental or owned and the ability to contact her.”

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Det. Brandon Huff, who investigated the case, testified that Bernhard’s community ties were minimal.

“She’s had some involvement with the local fire department, but she has no family and few neighbors,” Huff said.

Hinchey asked Huff if the children were in the custody of Child Protective Services and he said they were. When asked if Dawn Bernhard was trying to get her kids back, the detective said she was.

Alice Rhodes, a Libby Probation and Parole Officer with the state who also worked previously as a child protection officer, also had reservations about Bernhard’s possible release.

“Dawn accused her 16-year-old daughter of seducing her husband (Michael) and tried to convince her 9-year-old daughter that the husband was seduced by the the 16-year-old,” Rhodes said. “We can’t control what the parents say to the kids.”

Hinchey also maintained that Dawn Bernhard lacks a significant criminal history and that some of the charges against her were “by accountability.”

He also said he understood the concerns of the state (prosecutors), but he thought if they were concerned about contacting her, she could move elsewhere.

According to the Flathead County Jail Roster, Dawn Marie Bernhard was arrested on an extra-jurisdiction warrant April 10 and held on $250,000 bail. She was taken into custody by Lincoln County authorities April 17 and is lodged in the county detention center.

Bernhard made her initial court appearance April 15 on video in front of Justice Court Judge Jay Sheffield.

There, she heard the charges against her. They included assault with a weapon, accountability, two counts of witness tampering, two counts of assault on a minor accountability and three counts of assault on a minor.

In the complaint against Dawn Bernhard, she is accused of aiding or attempting to aid Michael Bernhard when he allegedly assaulted a minor, striking him with a hammer. 

She is also accused of aiding Michael Bernhard when he allegedly placed a child’s hand in a vice and struck the hands with a wire brush. She is also implicated when Michael Bernhard allegedly shot one of the children with a pellet or BB gun.

Dawn Bernhard is also accused of striking one of the children with a dog collar. 

She is also accused of holding both children’s heads under water, causing bodily injury or reasonable apprehension of injury.

In the tampering cases, she is accused of attempting to induce two people to withhold information in the alleged offenses.

Convictions on all counts could lead to 65 years in the Montana State Prison. The assault with weapon charge, in a conviction, may result in a 20-year term, the longest sentence.