COLUMBIANA CO. Ex-operator pleads guilty
LISBON -- A former Wellsville day-care operator faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a reduced charge in the August death of an infant in her care.
Billie Jo Weaver, 35, now of Delaware, Ohio, pleaded guilty Friday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court to reckless homicide, a third-degree felony.
In exchange for the plea, which was accepted by Judge David Tobin, the county prosecutor's office will recommend a sentence of four years in prison, assistant Prosecutor Tim McNicol said today.
The judge has the options, however, of imposing the maximum sentence of five years or a lesser one.
Judge Tobin set sentencing for March 28.
Woman remains free
Weaver remains free on a $25,000 cash or surety bond. She originally was charged with involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony bearing a maximum 10-year prison term.
The mother of the dead infant, Kimberly Rawson-Brown of Wellsville, agreed with the plea arrangement. She did not want to go through a trial, McNicol said.
He added that investigators believe Weaver caused the death of 4-month-old Jareden Rawson of Wellsville by violently shaking him.
The infant was one of the children Weaver cared for as part of the day-care operation she ran from her home. Her day-care license has been revoked.
Weaver also is being sued by Jareden's mother.