Day Care Owner Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Assault, Malicious Mischief

A Mercer Island family who was arrested inside her Mercerdale home-business Nov. 21 while looking after more than a half-dozen children pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to charges of domestic violence.

Laura C. Martin, 45, of 3720 78th Ave. S.E., pleaded not guilty to both misdemeanor assault and battery, and third-degree malicious mischief charges at the Tuesday morning arraignment. Acting Brian Zuanich brought forward the charges and turned over police reports of the incident to Martin's attorney.

Judge Wayne Stewart ordered Martin to be released after posting $10,000 bail. He scheduled a pre-trial conference for Jan. 3 and granted defense motions for a continuance and waiving their right to a speedy trial.

Martin, who has run for over a decade and is well-known in the local preschool community, was agitated on the morning of Nov. 21 after a state day care inspector reported several business "violations," according to witness statements. A boyfriend, Camano Island resident Mark Traxler, arrived later in the day and claimed Martin had been drinking and was intoxicated. As parents started arriving to pick up their children, , damaged his truck and then attacked him, causing injuries.

According to police statements, Martin intially claimed Traxler had attacked her with an 8-inch Wusthof kitchen knife, but then declined to continue speaking once she was arrested and advised of her rights.