Mom in court after baby fell from SUV

A stranger was holding the infant in a baby carrier when police arrived.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- A judge says he's satisfied so far with placing on probation a Warren woman whose baby fell out of the vehicle she was driving last year.
"I'm satisfied for the time being," Judge Thomas A. Campbell of Trumbull County Central District Court said Wednesday after placing 26-year-old Michelle Wildman on three years of probation with several provisions.
Wildman, of Elm Road, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangering after her 6-month-old daughter fell out of Wildman's 1992 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Elm Road last Oct. 6.
Wildman has been in the Trumbull County Jail in lieu of a total 75,000 bond since then. The judge ordered her released from jail.
Bazetta Township police reported they were called to the store parking lot and found a man holding a baby in a carrier. The man pointed to Wildman, who was walking around nearby.
During questioning, Wildman said she didn't know the man who had her baby -- and didn't know why she left her with a stranger.
Trumbull County Children Services was called and took custody of the infant. The girl was released from St. Joseph Health Center after treatment for a head injury.
Sentencing
Wednesday, Judge Campbell sentenced Wildman to 180 days in jail on each misdemeanor, suspending the jail time and placing her on probation.
The judge said the county prosecutor's office had no objection to his granting Wildman probation.
The judge said Children Services got custody of the baby through Trumbull County Family Court, and she is now being cared for by a family member.
While on probation, the judge explained, Wildman must undergo psychological, drug and alcohol screenings. She must also submit to periodic drug and alcohol tests, the judge said, noting that abuse is her apparent problem.
In addition, she is required to go through a parenting program set up for her by Children Services.
"I hope she straightens out her life," Judge Campbell said, noting that if she doesn't, she has jail time waiting for her.
yovich@vindy.com