Studys plead not guilty in charges associated with death of 2-month-old infant in Manderson

Two individuals charged in correlation with the death of a 2-month-old baby in Manderson on July 6 are headed for trial. Travis Study, 57, of Manderson pleaded not guilty to five charges at his arraignment in Big Horn County District Court on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Destynie Study, 22, also arrested in the incident, pleaded not guilty to two charges in Big Horn County Circuit Court on July 8 and has a jury trial set for December 8. 

Destynie Study, the deceased infant’s mother, faces misdemeanor charges of reckless endangering, with a maximum sentence of one year, fine of up to $750 or both; and endangering a child, with a maximum sentence of one year, fine of up to $1,000 or both. 

Travis Study, the grandfather of the deceased infant, carries the larger felony drug charge, with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation affidavit filed July 8 alleging methamphetamine paraphernalia testing positive for the drug and 21.3 grams, with packaging, of marijuana were found in the home.  

He was charged with endangering a child via exposure to methamphetamine, a felony count carrying a maximum sentence of five years, maximum fine of $5,000, or both. Four misdemeanor charges were also leveled against him: reckless
endangering, with a maximum sentence of one year, maximum fine of $750 or both; endangering a child -- one year, $1,000 or both; possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, which carries a maximum one-year sentence, $750 fine or both; and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana -- maximum sentence of one year, maximum fine $1,000. In the case of a maximum consecutive sentence, the charges would constitute up to nine years in prison, an $8,750 fine or both. 

Travis Study appeared via Zoom from Big Horn County Detention Center Tuesday. Defense attorney Sam Krone, also attending over video call, entered not guilty pleas for all five counts on Travis Study’s behalf and asked Judge Bobbi Overfield reduce Study’s $75,000 cash-only bond to $7,500 cash or commercial, based on the argument that Study faces largely misdemeanor charges and holds strong ties to the Big Horn County community. 

Big Horn County prosecuting attorney Marcia Bean opposed, stating that Travis Study had previous criminal history with controlled substance, DUI, assault and battery and failure to appear charges. She added that the state of the Study home where Travis Study was a caretaker for two children on July 6 was, “probably some of the worst conditions law enforcement had seen.” 

Given information in the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation affidavit, Bean also alleged Study was a threat to law enforcement, having previously been documented making aggressive statements. 

“We believe that he is and can be a danger to the community,” Bean said. She noted that the case investigation is ongoing, with autopsy results potentially justifying additional charges in the future. 

Krone countered that Study is not currently charged with murder or manslaughter associated with the infant’s death, stating that it would be inappropriate for the court to make a decision based on what may take place in the future. 

Overfield ultimately left the bond as-is, $75,000 cash-only, based on the felony charge and failure to appear in 2025. A four-day jury trial will be scheduled within 180 days.