The 38-year-old Dayton woman was sentenced today, June 9, 2016, with time behind bars.
It's been almost two years since the baby boy was killed.
The dog was euthanized after that attack.
Kimiko Hardy could have gotten probation but learned she's going to be locked up for several years.
There were lots of tears and hugs at Kimiko Hardy's sentencing.
Last month she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and failure to restrain a vicious dog.
"I'm sorry. It was a tragic day," said the defendant Kimiko Hardy.
Her seven month old step-grandson, Jonathan Quarles Junior, was visiting when Hardy's dog named Busa, an American Staffordshire terrier (aka pit bull) crushed the baby’s skull and removed part of his scalp in Hardy’s residence at 2219 Riverside Drive in Dayton.
"I'm sorry about this, I miss Jonathan too," said Hardy.
"Sorry will not bring my son back and from July 20th 2014, this shouldn't be the first time, well the second time that I've heard that I'm sorry," said the baby's mother Kashyra Hardy.
The dog had previous incidents where it was considered dangerous, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office. It had charged at a letter carrier in April, 2014, causing the postal worker to be off work for two weeks, and the postal service to refuse to deliver mail to the home for six months.
Then, on June 3, 2014, just weeks before the fatal mauling, the dog bit and attacked a Beagle that was being walked on the sidewalk in front of the home. The Beagle had to get stitches.
After the second attack - on the Beagle - Hardy was required to attend a 150-minute training class put on by the Animal Resource Center for first-time offenders. ARC officials testified that the course covered neutering, reasons to relinquish a dog, bite prevention, proper training, responsibilities of pet owners, how to confine a dog and laws about failure to control a dog. Hardy also was cited for not having a license for the dog.
"Based on her failure to act and her sticking her head in the sand, unfortunately this young child was defensless and was mauled by her dog," said Montgomery County Assistant Prosecutor Karen Groseth.
Hardy's attorneys said she's remorseful and doesn't deserve prison.
The judge gave her three years.
Her daughter took it hard.
Hardy could have gotten anywhere from three to 11 years in prison and even though she got the lower end, prosecutors are still pleased.
"We're happy that justice has been done here today," said Groseth.
Prosecutors hope the case sends a message to owners of vicious dogs.
"You're going to be be held responsible for the action of your pet," said Groseth.
We asked prosecutors about the case of Klonda Ritchey, the Dayton woman killed by her neighbor's dogs. The dog's owners were only found guilty of misdemeanor charges in Dayton Municipal Court.
Prosecutors said they look at the evidence and every case is different.
(WKEF - June 9, 2016)
No comments:
Post a Comment