Ellis sentenced to 6 years in child abuse case

This caught my eye this morning...but because of what the judge said to this animal!  The bold text below is what I’m talking about...

I only wish that he had gotten a longer sentence, but then again maybe six years is all that is needed....if he is telling the truth that he has been threatened, then six minutes may be all it takes!

Ellis sentenced to 6 years in child abuse case

by R.J. Cooper
Friday, December 18, 2009

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Zachery Ellis tried to minimize and shed doubt on his guilt in the abuse of his child a month too late. He’ll be heading to prison on a six-year sentence as a result.

Last month, when he pleaded guilty to felonious child abuse, Mr. Ellis, 21, admitted squeezing his 7-week-old son until he heard a pop. The defendant also said he jerked the child’s legs.

When Mr. Ellis and his wife took the baby to the hospital, the visit revealed the child had spiral fractures in three limbs, three broken ribs, a bruised spleen and tearing on the inside of his mouth. In November, Mr. Ellis testified that he did not believe his wife was responsible for any of those injuries.

At his sentencing hearing Thursday, Mr. Ellis claimed he didn’t believe he caused the spiral fractures. While he still acknowledged squeezing the child in frustration, when Judge Weldon Judah asked the defendant if he broke the infant’s ribs, Mr. Ellis replied, “I’m not sure if I did or not.”

In his sentencing assessment report, the defendant claimed he took the blame for his wife, according to assistant prosecutor Pam Blevins. Ms. Blevins also told the court the defendant hadn’t shown any remorse for his actions or claimed full responsibility.

Public defender Stephen Williams attempted to negotiate his client’s seemingly contradictory statements. The defense attorney said his client simply was implying his wife could’ve been responsible for some of the injuries, but he also took responsibility for his abusive actions.

“He feels terrible about this,” Mr. Williams told the judge. “There is not an excuse for what happened.”

Judge Weldon Judah seemed empathetic to Mr. Ellis’ plight at the plea hearing, giving the defendant every opportunity to withdraw his guilty plea. The judge, at that time, also rejected the plea agreement for a five-year sentence.

On Thursday, the judge once again appeared sensitive to Mr. Ellis’ situation, saying he believed the defendant did feel remorse and wasn’t ready to be a parent.

But the empathy stopped there. The judge told the defendant, “You can’t do the things you did. You can’t treat a child like a dog.” Mr. Judah then handed down a six-year sentence — one more year than either the prosecution or defense requested. The maximum punishment on a class C felony is seven years.

Mr. Ellis, who is a convicted sex offender, told the court he feared for his safety in prison since someone split his head open at the county jail and told him they would be waiting for him in the Department of Corrections. Mr. Judah responded, ”Unfortunately, that’s one of the hazards of (committing criminal actions).”

Mr. Ellis’ son was in the courtroom for the hearing and appeared healthy. The Department of Social Services placed the child in family custody.

R.J. Cooper can be reached

at rjcooper@npgco.com.

stjoenews.net | Ellis sentenced to 6 years in child abuse case

Loophole in the system allows sex offender step-dad to continue living in house with two young kids

This one really got to me.  I have edited and re-edited my comments to this, because I am so mad I can not even form a complete sentence. 

First, off who wrote this damn law, and how would they feel if their little ‘loophole’ had trapped their own young kids?? 

Secondly, what in the hell is this mother thinking?  As a mother there ain’t no fucking way my kids and I would still be in that house!  Ok, so since I don’t know her; maybe she didn’t know before she married the slime ball.  But, now that she knows; WHY in the hell is she still there?  There ain’t no dick on this planet that is worth the risk to the kids!!

Third, and most importantly...my thoughts and prayers are with those two little kids that are caught in this mess!  I sincerely hope that nothing happens to them!

http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=11145262

Man's Children Share Home With Convicted Sex Offender

Posted: Sep 16, 2009 7:36 PM EDT Wednesday, September 16, 2009 7:36 PM EST

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mike Miguel said his two young children are living with a sex offender, and there's nothing he can do to stop it. A legal loophole has the father frustrated. 

Miguel's nightmare started with an internet search. He typed in the new address where his two children would be living with his ex-wife and their new step-dad.

"Here comes his name and picture on the TBI website for a sex offender," said Miguel. "Everyday is a new fear."

The man living with his 7-year-old and 9-year-old was a sex offender, convicted of uploading pornographic pictures of children.

"Now my kids are there everyday, taking baths and showers, just running around the house in their underwear, whatever they are doing. How is he looking at my children?" said Miguel.

Miguel pushed for an emergency court hearing to get custody of his children because he thought state law was on his side. State lawmakers did pass legislation that if a sex offender commits a crime against a child younger than 13, they would not be allowed to live in a home with a minor.

In Miguel's case because the offender was uploading child pornography, it's hard for investigators to prove the identity of the young victims, and find out exactly how old they are.

"It starts to drive you a little crazy," said Miguel.

Miguel has to make due with waiting until May. That's when once again he'll go before a judge to try and get custody of his two children.

"Everyday I walk by my kids pictures and I look at them, and think I just don't know. You wonder what's going on, what's happening, Is there anything happening, is there not, but you can't do anything about it," said Miguel.

Miguel was pushing to change state law when it comes to the legal loophole. He's been in touch with State Representative Susan Lynn. Lynn's looking into creating a bill that could resolve the issue when they go back into session in January.

Rep. Lynn is also looking into another issue impacting juveniles and sex offenders. Minors only have one year to report a sexual assault to investigators. Lynn wanted to extend that period of time.