Convicted therapist posts bail, is freed

The Denver Post/April 25, 2001

One of two therapists convicted of causing the death of 10-year-old Candace Newmaker during a "rebirthing" session posted bail Tuesday and was released from custody. Connell Watkins, 54, was released under an original $250,000 bond. Julie Ponder, 40, is still being held on $200,000 bond.

Watkins and Ponder were convicted Friday of reckless child abuse resulting in death during an April 2000 therapy session. They face up to about 50 years in prison when sentenced in June.

The rebirthing therapy the two conducted ended with the suffocation of Candace Newmaker.

The girl was wrapped in a cotton sheet and covered in pillows to simulate a womb and force her to be "reborn" to her adoptive mother.