CASSANDRA |
STEVEN |
The stepmother who watched as her husband severely beat his 7-year-old son expressed remorse during her sentencing hearing Monday and said she is trying to get help overcoming her own issues.
The father responsible for the beatings didn’t show up despite a specific order from Logan County Common Pleas Judge Mark S. O’Connor that he was to be there and be prepared for his own sentencing.
Steven A. Haddox, 31, who is now reportedly living in Celina, and Cassandra Haddox, 25, of St. Marys, had each entered pleas to felony child endangering in connection with a Dec. 12 incident in which the man beat his 7-year-old son for not eating a dinner of liver and onions at the 212 Walker St. residence where they lived at the time.
She was ordered to spend 30 days in the Logan County Jail as part of a community control program, while a warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Haddox.
He admitted to spanking the boy with a wood paddle covered with black tape every five minutes, beginning with one strike and adding an additional strike each time he resumed the punishment. When he reached seven strikes, he kept going, hitting the boy 10 times. He also reportedly struck him across the face with his hand on two occasions.
The abuse did not come out until Bellefontaine City Schools staff noticed signs.
Mrs. Haddox was present at the time and said she did not report the abuse for fear of her own well-being.
She said she has separated from her husband and plans to file for a divorce as she learns to deal with her own issues.
“Through all this, I have learned who I am as a person and what I need to do for my children,” she said through tears. “I have found a voice and learned to speak up and not be afraid to say anything when something bad is happening.”
As part of her community control, she must continue to work with Logan County Children’s Services case workers, Judge O’Connor ordered.
Prior to issuing the arrest warrant for the father, the judge noted that he denied a request last week to extend sentencing so the defendant could “get his affairs in order.”
RAMOS |
SHAFFNER |
LINDSAY |
• David Ramos, 23, of Florida, was sentenced to a year in prison for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for having sex with a 14-year-old girl when he was 19. He must also register 25 years as a Tier II sex offender. He was given 110 days of jail credit.
• Ashley Shaffner, 24, of Urbana, was sentenced to two years in the Ohio Reformatory for Women for a third-degree felony count of illegal conveyance of drugs into a jail. She reportedly tried to take the opioid blocker Suboxone into the jail Nov. 29.
The sentence is concurrent with a Champaign County sentence she is already serving, Judge O’Connor ruled.
• Paul Lindsay, 34, of Bellefontaine, was ordered to complete the four- to six-month rehabilitation program at West Central Community Correctional Facility for one fifth-degree felony count of trafficking in marijuana. He was placed on community control for five years.
• Prince Madison, 38, was given an additional 10 days in the Logan County Jail plus time already served in connection with a 2012 conviction for misdemeanor receiving stolen property. He failed to show up for his sentencing hearing.