Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Authorities said the child died from overheating and dehydration.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- A judge placed a woman on probation in the death of her son but warned that if she makes one mistake, he would put her in prison.
Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court on Monday sentenced Renee N. Boyd, 24, to probation for four years on a charge of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, which carries a one- to five-year prison term.
She will serve the first six months at the Eastern Ohio Corrections Center in Lisbon, an intensive probation program.
Boyd had been indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and endangering children, a third-degree felony, involving her son, Machaly E. Jakes, then 5 months old.
The boy's father, Alan P. Jakes Jr., 25, was indicted on the same charges.
The infant died Feb. 15, 2005, at the couple's apartment in East Liverpool.
Why baby died
Tim McNicol, an assistant county prosecutor, said the couple had left the infant alone overnight for more than 12 hours. When Boyd returned home, she called paramedics. An autopsy was eventually performed, and the cause of death was determined to be dehydration and overheating.
Officials said the youth had been wrapped in a blanket in a hot room.
The couple later moved to Midland, W.Va. Boyd now lives in New Manchester, W.Va.
Under the plea agreement, Boyd did not admit any guilt.
McNicol said he could not comment on the case because Jakes is scheduled to go on trial later this year. He would not say if Boyd would testify against Jakes.
A second child of the couple's is in Boyd's custody, McNicol said.
Atty. Joseph King, who represented Boyd, said she has "no criminal record, no traffic record, no misdemeanors, no felonies. She has been a law-abiding person all her life."
Boyd made no comment to the court before she was sentenced.
Judge Tobin said he doubted a prison sentence was warranted. He ordered her to perform 40 hours of community service. But the judge told her if she made one mistake, she would serve the full prison term.
wilkinson@vindy.com