A Tooele mom charged with first-degree felony murder in connection with the death of her 14-month-old child had her bail set at $500,000 cash-only last Thursday by 3rd District Court Judge Mark Kouris.

Kimberly Emelyantsev, 33, called 911 on March 6 and reported her son, Nicoli -- a child with Down syndrome who she had recently adopted from Russia -- was experiencing breathing problems. Tooele City police officers who responded to the scene noted discoloration and bruising to the child's face. The child was taken to Mountain West Medical Center and then transported to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he later died.

When officers interviewed Emelyantsev's husband, Fyodor, at the scene, he said that he had been in a back bedroom working on a computer when his wife rushed in with the child, who was nonresponsive and breathing very slowly, according to court documents. Fyodor said the couple hurried back into the front room where Kimberly had been with the child earlier. Fyodor, who works as a nurse at a rest home, said he then instructed his wife to call 911, while he began medical treatment.

Kimberly told detectives that she had placed the child on a chair before leaving the room to change her other young daughter's diaper. When she returned, she said she found the child lying on the floor unresponsive.

Kimberly was arrested on March 10 after an autopsy report revealed that the baby died from a significant skull fracture, according to the probable cause statement.

However, doctors at Primary Children's advised detectives that the injury was the result of blunt force trauma and could not have been caused by a fall, according to court documents. Doctors also said other injuries found on the child were inconsistent with the story provided by Kimberly.

In addition, the medical examiner located a cut on the inside of the child's lip that appeared to be caused by the child's tooth tearing through the flesh. The child also had noticeable bruising to both cheeks, the left side of the head and ear, the left leg by the knee, and around the anal area.

Fyodor was arrested on March 10 as well, but in connection with the suspected abuse of another adopted 4-year-old Russian son, who also has Down syndrome. The child was found to be dehydrated and malnourished. According to the probable cause statement, Lori Frasier, a doctor in Primary Children's child abuse and neglect department, told detectives there is no reason the child should have declined to this state after a feeding tube had been installed if the parents had been properly feeding and caring for the child.

Court documents state the child has shown significant progress since being admitted to Primary Children's. The statement indicated the 4-year-old is now alert, awake and playing with toys, while gaining weight and interacting with hospital staff.

Charges of child abuse and neglect, a third-degree felony, were filed Thursday against Fyodor. Additional second-degree felony charges of child abuse and neglect were also filed against Kimberly. According to Tooele County Jail Commander Lt. Jerry Mora, no bail was set for Fyodor and he and Kimberly remain in jail.

Nicoli, was adopted by the Emelyantsevs approximately two weeks ago. The 4-year-old boy was adopted near Christmas of last year.

Police are unable to comment on the condition of the children at the time of their adoption as the investigation is ongoing.

The couple's three other children -- a 10-year-old daughter with Down syndrome from Kimberly's previous marriage, and two younger biological daughters, ages 5 and 2 -- were placed in state custody. The three children are presently being watched by a maternal uncle who lives in Dugway, according to Tooele County Prosecutor Doug Hogan.

The couple will appear in court next on April 29.

Jamie Belnap: jamieb@tooeletranscript.com