City couple receives probation, treatment for roles in beating

The 5-year-old suffered head wounds and a chipped tooth in the beating.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A city man and woman were sentenced Friday to three years’ probation and treatment at Community Corrections Association for their roles in the beating of the woman’s 5-year-old daughter.

Tasha N. McClendon, 30, of East Lucius Avenue, and Johnny J. Favors, 51, of 836 Billingsgate Avenue, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted child endangering, a fourth-degree felony, in February.

They could have been sentenced up to 18 months in prison, but Judge James C. Evans instead ordered the probation for both and said they must attend a CCA treatment program.

The two were living at the East Lucius address in late December when police discovered McClendon’s 5-year-old daughter had been beaten with a belt and a brush, resulting in open head wounds and a chipped tooth.

The girl was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center and later placed with an aunt.

Judge Evans ordered McClendon and Favors to continue to have nothing more than supervised visits with the girl until after the Mahoning County Children Services Board determines they are capable of having contact with her again.

Judge Evans told McClendon he was “this close” to sending her to prison as he held his thumb and index finger close together, and that if she failed to fulfill the obligations of her probation she would go to prison.

Favors’ attorney, Walter Ritchie, said Favors has raised four children of his own without a single incident involving the CSB.