RSS - Posts
Mother still considering deal
Woman accused of abuse, neglect may decide on plea soon
By ROBERT GAVIN, Staff writer
Click byline for more stories by writer.
First published: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
TROY — A foster mother accused of grossly neglecting her malnourished 11-year-old adoptive son, slapping the boy repeatedly and forcing him to wear a diaper is still mulling a plea deal to spend 60 days behind bars.
Sharmon “Sherry” Evans, 57, will be examined for a Probation Department report before she next appears in Rensselaer Family Court on Aug. 25, Judge Linda Griffin said Monday.
Evans, of Fourth Avenue, faces up to one year in jail if convicted of child endangerment in the case, which surfaced in May. The child was removed from Evans’ care and put in a foster home, where county officials have said his condition improved.
Evans said nothing before or during her court appearance Monday. Her attorney, Joseph Ahearn, asked for the probation examination into his client. He told reporters she is still considering a plea that would include 60 days in jail, as well as three years’ probation.
She could also lose custody of the child.
At one time, Evans had as many as six foster children in the home besides the adopted boy, authorities have said. She dropped out of the foster care program after social services inspectors visited the house in December.
Ahearn pointed out that even if Evans pleads guilty to the charge, she could still get more time than recommended under the plea deal.
Her answer could be known as soon as the Aug. 25 appearance, he indicated.
“The case is open and the case remains open,” Ahearn said.
