JOHN HANNA, Associated Press

OSAWATOMIE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas hopes to bring one of its mental hospitals back in line with federal standards by July so the state doesn’t keep losing up to $1 million a month in federal funds.

But legislators in both parties worry that the short-term focus on meeting federal standards means the state isn’t dealing enough with the question of whether it has enough hospital beds for the mentally ill.

The federal government decertified Osawatomie State Hospital in December. It cited a “systemic failure” to protect suicidal patients, adequately supervise care and perform required safety checks at the hospital about 45 miles southwest of Kansas City.

The state recently increased the pay for nurses, and it has filled nearly 60 positions since mid-January. The state also has hired consultants to help improve operations.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a 28-year-old man has been arrested after bite marks were found all over his 4-year-old daughter’s body.

The Wichita Eagle reports the man was arrested just after 7:15 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of child abuse. Wichita police Lt. James Espinoza said that a staff member at Irving Elementary School noticed bite marks on the girl’s arm earlier that day and notified authorities.

Espinoza said that investigators discovered marks consistent with bites on the girl’s body.

SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Wesleyan University President Matt Thompson says he is optimistic the school’s nursing program will regain accreditation this fall.

Wesleyan withdrew its accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing in March 2015, days before the organization was likely to vote not to continue the nursing program’s accreditation.

The Salina Journal reports the Wesleyan had applied for accreditation to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, which most nursing programs in Kansas use.

Thompson says representatives of the CCNE and the Kansas State Board of Nursing visited the school in February. He says a preliminary report was positive, with only a few lingering issues.

CCNE is scheduled to vote on Wesleyan’s accreditation in November. Thompson says if it’s approved, the accreditation will apply for this May’s graduates.

WASHINGTON – A Kansas business owner was convicted this week of tax fraud following a month-long jury trial, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Barry R. Grissom of the District of Kansas.

The jury found Kathleen Stegman, 58, guilty of four counts of tax evasion relating to her evasion of corporate income taxes for the years 2008 and 2009 and individual income taxes for the years 2007 and 2008. Stegman and her husband, Christopher Smith, 51, were both acquitted on the charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and Stegman was acquitted on one count of tax evasion.

Stegman owned Midwest Medical Aesthetics Center in Leawood, which provided aesthetic services including microdermabrasion, laser hair removal and anti-aging procedures and products. Smith owned Encompass Construction Group in Independence, Missouri.

“The verdict is a reminder to business owners that they cannot use their companies as their personal piggy banks,” said Acting Attorney General Ciraolo. “All taxpayers must file true and accurate returns with the IRS to report their income and expenses. Those that fail to do so face significant consequences, including criminal prosecution, prison and monetary penalties.”

According to the evidence at trial, Stegman under-reported her company’s gross receipts and overstated her company’s expenses on the corporate tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Stegman also diverted income from the company for her personal use and failed to report the income on her tax returns. The government also presented evidence that Stegman and Smith agreed to fabricate a repairs and maintenance contract between Smith and Midwest Medical in order to increase the company’s business deductions and divert money from the company to their personal use. In December 2010, Stegman wrote a check in the amount of $50,575 to Encompass Construction, which was drawn on Midwest Medical’s bank account. Smith used the money to buy gold coins that were shipped to Stegman’s business address in Leawood. On Midwest Medical’s 2010 corporate tax return, Stegman fraudulently deducted this payment as a business expense for repairs and maintenance.

“Today’s verdict is an important victory for America’s taxpayers who play by the rules and have no tolerance for those who make up their own rules,” said Special Agent in Charge Karl Stiften of IRS-Criminal Investigation. “There is no such thing as free money and there are no awards or incentives for creativity when it comes to crime.”

Stegman faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count of tax evasion. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Grissom thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case and Trial Attorneys Ryan R. Raybould and John T. Mulcahy from the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari B. Wamble of the District of Kansas, who prosecuted the case.

MITCHELL COUNTY – A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 12:15 a.m. on Saturday in Mitchell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Noah N. Smith, 18, Jewell, was northbound on Kansas 14 five miles north of U.S. 24.

The highway curved to the west and the truck continued northbound into the ditch, struck two power poles and rolled multiple times.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit.

Smith was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.