Charged with drug-induced homicide, Dietiker changes mind at last second on plea deal

QUINCY — A plea was expected Wednesday afternoon when Caitlin R. Dietiker made an appearance in Adams County Circuit court.

However, when Judge Roger Thomson asked public defender Todd Nelson if he was ready for a plea hearing, Nelson replied, “The defense is not.”

Court records showed Dietiker, 22, was set to enter a plea on April 13 after making an appearance in court on March 23. The first plea date was postponed, but after a status hearing on April 27, the plea was rescheduled for Wednesday.

“In speaking with Miss Dietiker just moments ago, there are some concerns,” Nelson said. “I need to address those with her, and we’ll proceed from there.”

A status hearing in the case was set for May 18.

Dietiker was indicted Jan. 27 on one count of drug-induced homicide in the death of Jillian Hogan, 21, of Quincy. Hogan’s cause of death was determined to be fentanyl intoxication. 

The indictment was served on Dietiker in the Adams County Jail, where she already was lodged on unrelated charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance in March and possession of a controlled substance charges in July.

Officers from the Quincy Police Department responded in March 2021 to a death investigation at 1255 Maine. After a several months-long investigation, Dietiker was identified as a suspect in supplying Hogan with the fentanyl that ultimately caused her death.

A drug-induced homicide is a Class X felony with a sentencing range of 15 to 30 years.

Dietiker continues to be held in the Adams County Jail $500,000.

Security was heavy for Wednesday’s hearing with five bailiffs in the courtroom. Members of Hogan’s family were in attendance, as well as two friends of Dietiker.