By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Although Thursday’s hearing for a Galion woman could have been much worse in terms of a sentence, the reprimand she received from Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold obviously left its mark.
Twenty-four-year-old Ayrica Jones could only wince, whisper and drop her head after she pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree felony child endangering. Jones admitted she gave her 5-year-old child Percocet to alleviate the child’s pain.
“This is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard my entire life,” the judge said, having recalled the one-time practice of rubbing whiskey on a child’s sore gums. “You can’t give Percocet to a 5-year-old.”
Given the severity of the charge, Jones was prison eligible with a possible maximum sentence of 36 months. In addition, Jones was also charged with second-degree felony corrupting another with drugs. That offense carries a maximum possible prison sentence of eight years.
However, Jones was placed on community control for five years for child endangering and the more serious corruption charge was dismissed by the Prosecutor’s Office.
“I honestly don’t think you had bad intentions,” Leuthold told Jones. “But if you ever do anything stupid like this again, I will put you in prison.”
Jones will only be permitted to have supervised visits with her child as a condition of probation. Another condition at the insistence of Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler is that she take part in counseling sessions on parenting. The judge waived a $1,000 fine with no objection from Hoovler.
Twenty-five-year-old Cory Hunter pleaded guilty to felony 5 theft and was placed on community control for five years. Hunter must also pay restitution in the amount of $489.12.
The pre-sentence investigation prior to sentencing was waived.
Christopher Fawley and William Bruce both had initial hearings on allegations they violated terms of their community control. Leuthold set Fawley’s bond at $200,000 and Bruce’s at $150,000.
Michael Blum’s motion for early release from prison was granted by the judge. Blum was serving a 12-month sentence for drug possession.
Blum will be released to the Volunteers of America halfway house and then placed on community control for five years.
Brandon Powell’s report date of Jan. 9 to serve a 12-month prison sentence for drug possession was revoked. Instead Powell will be held at the county jail until taken to prison as soon as possible.