CROWN POINT | Lake County police had to use a stun gun Monday morning on one of the two adults now charged with the murder of 2-year-old Jada Justice.

Tim Tkachik, 24, of Hobart, appeared for his initial hearing Monday morning with his head bandaged and a prominent bruise on his left cheek.

Michael Higgins, a spokesman for county police, said Tkachik became disruptive in a holding cell shortly before the court session. "He got up on a table and was trying to get into an electrical panel. He was asked nicely to get down and when he didn't they had to use a Tazer," Higgins said.

Higgins said jail medical staff tended to Tkachik's injuries arising from the incident.

His 18-year-old girlfriend, Engelica Castillo, also of Hobart was visibly trembling during the court session as she stood a few feet from Tkachik and heard they both were being charged with neglecting, battering and murdering Jada on June 13 as well as being charged with lying to police in their effort to cover up the crime.

The girl's disappearance sparked a nine-day search by family, friends and members of the public caught up in the drama.

Lake Criminal Court Magistrate Natalie Bakota entered innocent pleas on behalf of Tkachik and Castillo's and said they will be held without bond until trial.

Merrillville attorney T. Edward Page, who represented Castillo's family last week, patted Castillo's shoulder in an effort to comfort her during the hour-long session.

Police say Jada's mother, Melissa Swiontek, left the child with Castillo June 8 for an extended period. Castillo and Swiontek are cousins. Police allege Castillo fatally beat the victim after becoming angry with her.

She and Tkachik tried to dispose of the body by burning it. Tkachik said he only suceeded in burning himself. They finally encased the child in concrete and dumped her in a swamp north of Westville in LaPorte County near Tkachik's family home. Tkachik directed police to the place where they recovered the body last week.

Castillo told police that someone abducted Jada from her car June 16 while it was parked outside a Glen Park service station in Gary.

Tkachik, who initially agreed with Castillo's story, later told police that his girlfriend killed the girl. Tkachik said he and Castillo were using heroin and marijuana throughout the period leading up and after Jada's death.

Tkachik briefly disrupted the court session Monday as the magistrate was questioning Castillo about whether she could afford a private lawyer or needed a court-appointed attorney who would defend her a taxpayer expense.

Castillo said she cannot afford to retain Page in the future. Bakota said the Lake County Public Defender's staff will appoint a new attorney to represent her.

As the magistrate was questioning Castillo about her lack of income, Tkachik said Castillo wasn't disclosing all her family's income. "You get child support. She gets child support," Tkachik said.

A source close to the family said Castillo doesn't have children and that Tkachik is referring to child support Castillo's mother is owed.

The magistrate warned Tkachik not to interrupt her or Castillo. She repeatedly told Tkachik to pay attention to her and not talk about other matters.

Tkachik said he plans to hire his own lawyer.

Page said her defense will require more financial resources then her family can afford. Page said he may assist the public defender's staff in her case at some future date if asked.

The magistrate ordered both to appear in Criminal Court next week for the beginning of a series pre-trial hearing. No trial date has been set.