A Rexford woman accused of killing her 3-year-old niece earlier this year made her initial appearance in Lincoln County Justice Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Tina Marie Mergenthaler, 57, is charged in Lincoln County with felony counts of deliberate homicide, witness tampering and evidence tampering. After authorities began investigating the child's death on Aug. 8, Mergenthaler allegedly abandoned her Pinkham Creek Road home and dropped out of sight. She was arrested Monday in Missoula.

The defendant heard the charges against her and Justice Court Judge Jay Sheffield explained her rights to her. The judge ordered that Mergenthaler have no contact with witnesses, victims or anyone associated with the case.

County attorney Marcia Boris sought bail of $5 million, arguing Mergenthaler was a flight risk due to her leaving the jurisdiction and not having contact with anyone for three months. Boris also cited what she termed the horrific nature of the offenses and the witness tampering accusation.

Mergenthaler appeared dumbstruck at the bail amount. Sheffield, who ordered no bond when he signed the arrest warrant, didn’t make any changes.

Mergenthaler said she understood the proceedings. When Sheffield asked Mergenthaler if she would hire an attorney or have one appointed to her by the state Office of the Public Defender, she said she couldn’t afford a lawyer.

She said that she was staying in a homeless shelter in Missoula when she was arrested and she didn’t have a permanent address. Sheffield instructed her on how to contact the Office of the Public Defender to secure legal representation.

Mergenthaler was jailed in Missoula until being brought back to Lincoln County for her court hearing. She is currently in the county lockup, according to jail records. Those records indicate she has a pending theft charge in another county.

Investigators from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Montana State Crime Lab, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation worked together to assemble the case that spanned three months, along with help from Oregon officials.

    Homicide suspect Tina Mergenthaler is shown here in a photo taken a few days prior to Aug. 8, 2026, the day when Lincoln County authorities say a 3-year-old child died at Mergenthaler's hands. (Courtesy Tobacco Valley News)