MARGARETTA TWP. — A woman accused of abusing a child in her care accepted a plea agreement from prosecutors recently.
Doretha Reed, 57, of the 1100 block of W. 8th St., Lorain, pleaded guilty on Feb. 20 to one count of endangering children, a second-degree felony.
In exchange for her plea, the state dropped two counts of felonious assault, one count of child endangering and one count of tampering with evidence.
The defense and state will argue at an April 30 hearing on how much time she should be sentenced to in prison.
She could face up to eight years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
Her husband, James Reed, 53, pleaded guilty in September to one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony.
He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. He was accused of knowing about the abuse and not doing anything to stop it.
Doretha Reed was accused of physically abusing a 3-year-old girl in her care. The girl allegedly wet the bed and Doretha Reed severely struck the girl as punishment, according to Erie County Sheriff’s Office Det. Alexis Harvey.
What occurred?
A third party called the Erie County Sheriff’s Office on the morning of April 16, 2023, to report possible child abuse occurring at a home in the 5400 block of Homegardner Road, according to Harvey.
The abuse had been ongoing for some time, Harvey said.
“She was abused with hands and objects,” Harvey said.
Through the initial investigation, detectives learned that Doretha Reed purportedly left the township with the involved child.
Doretha Reed and the child were found at a hotel in Northwood, Ohio, Harvey stated. Northwood police and EMS arrived at the scene and transported the child to a hospital.
The investigation revealed that Doretha Reed allegedly caused serious physical harm to the girl’s face and body, Harvey said. There was evidence to indicate that the abuse has been taking place long-term. The girl had bruises and wounds that were in various stages of healing.
Detectives believe physical harm was inflicted on the girl due to her wetting the bed.
Neither of the Reeds are related to the girl, who was in the care of her grandmother. Before her grandmother passed, she reportedly stated she wished her friends, the Reeds, to take care of the girl. No other family could or would step up to take custody of the child, so she was placed with the Reeds, Harvey said.
Source:
About the Author
