Toulon Mom Sentenced to Three Years in Prison
By: Andrew Barra WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: March 10, 2013
TOULON - The Toulon mom who abandoned her baby in a ditch is sentenced Friday to three years in prison.
Circuit Judge Scott Shore gave Meaker the maximum sentence in Friday's sentence hearing in the Stark County Courthouse.
"We accept what the Judge did and we respect the lawyers and what they have done," said Meaker's Grandfather, Larry Meaker. "It has not been easy and it still is not going to be easy."
The mother of two was arrested last Fall for abandoning her baby daughter, then three week old Mia Grace Thompson, on the side of a road in rural Stark County and telling police the baby was abducted.
She was given three years, which includes one year supervised release, for Obstruction of Justice and 364 days for Child Endangerment.
She has already served 163 of those days.
"It is what it is," said Meaker's father, Ken Meaker. "Healing will start. I don't know, I can't really say what I'm feeling."
"I can't change what happened," said Tim Thompson, Mia's father. "I wish I could. I'm just one person. I can't take time back and change everything."
Before sentencing, an emotional Meaker told the judge that she knew what she did was wrong, that the experience has changed her life, and that she is willing to seek counseling on how to deal with stress.
"I kind of hope so," said Meaker. "But it is all on her. "I can't tell her, 'Hey go do counseling'."
And for both sides, the most important part about this, is that Mia is alive and is doing alright. Her and her sister, Mercedes, are in the hands of Meaker's parents
"It don't look like this phased them," said Thompson. "They're in good hands. I have a deployment coming up."
"They're a joy to be with," added Meaker's aunt, Angie Meaker. "They're thriving, very much so. They're in the best care they can be with their Grandpa."
Meaker also told the courtroom she's attending bible studies.
She says she wants to become a counselor and eventually help other troubled moms.
Meaker's baby wasn't seriously injured in the incident.
Circuit Judge Scott Shore gave Meaker the maximum sentence in Friday's sentence hearing in the Stark County Courthouse.
"We accept what the Judge did and we respect the lawyers and what they have done," said Meaker's Grandfather, Larry Meaker. "It has not been easy and it still is not going to be easy."
The mother of two was arrested last Fall for abandoning her baby daughter, then three week old Mia Grace Thompson, on the side of a road in rural Stark County and telling police the baby was abducted.
She was given three years, which includes one year supervised release, for Obstruction of Justice and 364 days for Child Endangerment.
She has already served 163 of those days.
"It is what it is," said Meaker's father, Ken Meaker. "Healing will start. I don't know, I can't really say what I'm feeling."
"I can't change what happened," said Tim Thompson, Mia's father. "I wish I could. I'm just one person. I can't take time back and change everything."
Before sentencing, an emotional Meaker told the judge that she knew what she did was wrong, that the experience has changed her life, and that she is willing to seek counseling on how to deal with stress.
"I kind of hope so," said Meaker. "But it is all on her. "I can't tell her, 'Hey go do counseling'."
And for both sides, the most important part about this, is that Mia is alive and is doing alright. Her and her sister, Mercedes, are in the hands of Meaker's parents
"It don't look like this phased them," said Thompson. "They're in good hands. I have a deployment coming up."
"They're a joy to be with," added Meaker's aunt, Angie Meaker. "They're thriving, very much so. They're in the best care they can be with their Grandpa."
Meaker also told the courtroom she's attending bible studies.
She says she wants to become a counselor and eventually help other troubled moms.
Meaker's baby wasn't seriously injured in the incident.
