ASHLAND — The woman who handcuffed her child while a pit bull dog used him as a “chew toy” will spend up to 23 years in prison, an Ashland County judge ruled Monday.
Angelina Williams, 28, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty to all charges related to the Aug. 17 incident. She was sentenced Monday.
She faced seven felonies, including kidnapping and endangering children.
Ultimately, Ashland County Common Pleas Court Judge Dave Stimpert sentenced her to serve consecutive prison terms that amount to between 23 and 28.5 years, the maximum allowable by state law.
I’ve heard and seen some terrible things. This case is one that anyone involved with it will always remember.
Ashland County Common Pleas Court Judge Dave Stimpert
Stimpert said a witness in the case, the children’s aunt, summarized the entire case best.
“(The child) was handcuffed and the pit bull used him as a chew toy. And the adults made up a story to cover their butts,” Stimpert said.
But the judge added another level in his summary.
“Except using him as a chew toy is putting it very lightly. That dog tried to rip out his throat. To see the pictures of the bruising around his eyes and face from the force of pressure that that dog put on his throat, and to see the wounds on his neck? I’m not sure there are words that adequately describe that,” Stimpert said, addressing Williams.
Williams, who has been confined at the Ashland County Jail for the last 316 days, cried through Stimpert’s words.
“You’re the child’s mother. With that comes the duty to protect your children. I don’t know any mother that would think handcuffing a child’s hands and feet is a good idea, period,” he said.
“Yet not only did it, you do it multiple times, you shared photos of it — essentially bragging about it,” the judge said.
There were two children handcuffed in this case. The boy, 6 at the time, was then mauled by a dog. (Authorities have said he has since recovered from his physical injuries.)
The boy’s sister, 8 at the time, was also bound. The children were visiting their mother during a two-week span in Savannah at the time.
Ashland County Assistant Prosecutor Matt Metcalf said the children were forced to pick up dog poop in the yard during the visit.
“When they don’t wanna do that, they’re punished by being handcuffed and tied to chairs,” he said. “It’s unfathomable.”
Metcalf said Williams had also snapped photos of her daughter while handcuffed. She then sent it to her followers on SnapChat, a social media platform for sharing photos and messages that automatically delete after a certain amount of time.
Metcalf did not show the picture, but he read Williams’ caption: “Did I tie her to the chair … sure did.”
3 others involved
Three people were involved with the incident.
Robert Michalski, Jr., 48, of Savannah, was found partially guilty in the case by a jury in June. He owned the pit bull, which has since been euthanized by court order, and the home where the attack took place.
He was convicted on two counts of complicity to endanger a minor and a single count of tampering with evidence. He is slated for sentencing on July 21.
Another man, Taylor Desiree Marvin-Brown, 29, of Sandusky, pleaded guilty to several charges including kidnapping, endangering children, obstructing justice and possessing criminal tools.
Authorities described him as Williams’ “paramour.” He is scheduled to be sentenced July 14.
Stimpert mentioned that “seasoned law enforcement officers” struggled through their testimonies during Michalski’s trial — a first for Stimpert.
“I’ve heard and seen some terrible things. This case is one that anyone involved with it will always remember,” he said.
‘I’m sorry’
Williams, during her statement before being sentenced, apologized for her actions. She said the way she treated her children was “extremely wrong.”
“Not only was it wrong, but it’s caused mental and emotional trauma to my children that will probably haunt them for the rest of their lives,” she said.
“That is something I never intended to happen, and something I’ll never forgive myself for,” she said.
Her attorney, Jennifer Harmon, said Williams has taken to Bible study at the jail. She testified that her client has become “grounded in her faith.”
She also said Williams suffered her own childhood trauma. Harmon said Williams has been treated medically for multiple mental diagnoses, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
“If I could go back in time and do it all over, I’d do everything so much differently,” Williams said.
“I’d like to say ‘I’m sorry’ to my kids. I’m sorry I hurt you. And I’m sorry I’m not the mother you deserve … I’m sorry that my actions have caused me to be unable to be there for you and I’m sorry I didn’t know how to properly handle you.’”
She then promised to work hard to repair her relationship with them.
“I want them both to know that I love and miss them both very much,” she said.
‘Would I be able to get ‘good time?”
The sentencing hearing lasted 37 minutes. When the judge offered Williams the opportunity to ask questions about her sentencing, Williams asked:
“Would I be able to get ‘good time’ when I get down there? Or is some of that time mandatory?”
“Good time” in prison is a system in which incarcerated people earn sentence reductions for good behavior and participation in prison programs. It is administered by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
“You would be eligible for good time,” Stimpert said.
“As soon as I get down there?”
“I believe so,” he said, double checking with Metcalf, who confirmed. “So you would be eligible.”