Most charges dismissed in child beating case
A Charleroi woman Friday entered a guilty plea to a single count of simple assault for allegedly beating her stepgrandson with a belt and locking him in a basement.
Mary Walker, 60, of 522 Third St., had been charged with two counts of simple assault, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. All charges other than the second degree misdemeanor simple assault charge were dismissed.
Walker was sentenced to two years probation by Washington County Judge Michael Lucas. She also must pay costs and fees of $1,967.
The charges against Walker stemmed from a report filed by Washington County Children and Youth Services with the Charleroi police in January.
According to the affidavit filed in the case, a CYS caseworker was called to the Charleroi Elementary Center on Jan. 8 because a 6-year-old child had bruises on his back, chest, and arms that appeared to have been made by a belt. The child was immediately placed into foster care.
Police spoke to the boy in early February, and he told officers that his grandmother stripped him to his socks and underwear and beat him with a belt. He was then directed to dress and was told to go to the basement, where the door was locked and he was left in the dark for a period of time, police said.
Walker had been free on bond pending Friday’s court appearance.
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