MADISON - A Norfolk woman accused of first-degree sexual assault of a minor has entered a no contest plea to a lesser charge.
The Madison County Attorney's Office filed an amended charge of child abuse Friday morning against Tammy Walnofer, 38, of Norfolk in Madison County District Court here.
The charge stems from allegations that Walnofer, then 35, had a sexual relationship with a male who was 15 at the time.
Walnofer first made headlines when she and her daughter went missing from Norfolk in May 2006.
Two months later, police had traced the two to North Logan, Utah, where their vehicle was found at a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Although the two appeared to have left the Norfolk area of their own free will, police were concerned because they hadn't been using cell phones, credit cards or bank accounts.
They were found in March 2007 in California.
Walnofer was extradited back to Nebraska for an outstanding Madison County warrant in the sexual assault case.
The new child abuse charge is a Class IIIA felony.
A factual basis was offered by the state and the court found her guilty of the charge. A pre-sentence investigation report was ordered and sentencing was set for Monday, Oct. 20.
In exchange for the plea agreement, the state cannot make any specific recommendations at sentencing.
On Friday, the court also made the determination that Walnofer was competent to stand trial.
