BUCYRUS — Cambray Carwell, 25, of Galion pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony charge of endangering children and a fifth-degree felony charge for possession of drugs.
The third-degree charge is punishable with as many as 36 months in prison and the fifth-degree charge is punishable with as many as 12 months in prison.
Carwell appeared with his attorney, Sebastian Berger.
Carwell caused panic in Galion and the surrounding area after his young son appeared to have a seizure and required emergency medical treatment at the Galion Hospital. The child tested positive for meth.
When questioned by police about events leading up to the seizure, Carwell told police his son had been trick-or-treating in Galion and brought home a set of vampire teeth and put them in his mouth. Upon searching Carwell’s home police found meth in the residence.
In speaking to the court before the sentence was imposed, Berger clarified for the court that his client never actually said to police that his son had gotten the meth from the teeth. He said his client merely told police the activities his son had been engaged in prior to the seizure.
Before imposing sentence, Judge Sean Leuthold said he knew Carwell had been in prison for drug-related crimes but had been in recovery for some time.
“Mr. Carwell relapsed, and he relapsed badly. You know there are a lot of people that believe drug addiction is a victimless crime. They think we should just let these people self -destruct or even legalize drugs. But this is not a victimless crime. Children are the victims. Drug-addicted parents are dangerous. Their idea of parenting is crazy compared to ours. Children get put in bad situations. Drug-addicted parents make foolish choices and endanger their children,” Leuthold said. “The defendant implied this child got ahold of meth trick-or-treating. It caused a panic in the community. The implications are far reaching. We protect children in Crawford County and people who abuse children will get harsh sentences. This court will never turn a blind eye to children. That’s why I’m imposing the maximum sentence.”
Carwll will serve a total of four years in prison. He must forfeit all drug-related property to the Galion Police Department.
“You’re going to prison for quite a while,” Leuthold said. “I hope you get your head together. You have a lot to make up for as a father. The good news is you’re young enough to fix it.”
In yet another child abuse case, Keith Marshall, 28, of Bucyrus will spend the next four years and 11 months in prison.
Marshall pleaded guilty to one second-degree charge of felonious assault, punishable with as many as eight years in prison, and one fourth-degree felony charge for assault, punishable with as many as 12 months in prison.
Marshall appeared in court with his attorney, Joel Spitzer. Leuthold said a lot of negotiation on the part of Spitzer and the state resulted in an agreed sentence of 59 months in prison.
Before pronouncing sentence, Leuthold asked for comments.
Marshall’s attorney Joel Spitzer told the court his client was remorseful for his actions. He said his client was in a relationship with the child’s mother. He said Marshall was watching the 7-year-old boy and a little girl and they began fighting.
“I know it sounds shallow, but my client had no malicious intent,” Spitzer said. “He was intoxicated at the time. He has shown concern for the little guy. When he saw the pictures of what he had done he was stunned.”
Marshall spoke on his own behalf before sentencing.
“I know what I did was bad, and I regret it,” Marshall said. “My wife tried to tell me I have a drinking problem, but I wouldn’t listen to her.”
Judge Leuthold told the court it had been a difficult day for the court dealing with various forms of child abuse.
“I’ve got no problem with spanking. I was spanked as a child and I deserved it. But this goes beyond spanking. This goes far beyond spanking,” Leuthold said. “You were behind this child and smacked him so hard that he was black and blue, had a swollen ear and blood coming from behind his ear. You can see the imprint of your fingers on this child’s face; seven years old.”
Leuthold told Marshall that in his younger days he had been in a fight or two but never looked as bad as the child he had hit. Leuthold went on to explain that it was obvious he had hit the child a second time on the other side of his face giving him a black eye.
“Anyone who looks at this would be shocked. We don’t need drunken step fathers beating the hell out of their step kids,” Leuthold said. “You should be a role model; someone a child can look up to, not someone who is blackout drunk.”
Marshall is to have no contact with the victim.
“I’m trying to find the silver lining in this case,” Leuthold said. “You’re 28 years old and that’s the silver lining. You are young enough to change. You can turn your life around. The next time you want to drink, think about this picture of this beaten boy. A person who would do this when drinking should not have alcohol in their life.”