Mahoning County father, son get probation in abuse case

YOUNGSTOWN — A Neilson Avenue father and son were each placed on five years’ probation in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court after they entered guilty guilty pleas to abusing a developmentally disabled family member.

The probation was recommended by prosecutors and also approved by representatives of the female victim and cannot be appealed.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum sentenced Thomas Ward Jr., 53, on two counts of gross sexual imposition and his 83-year-old father Thomas Ward Sr. was sentenced for the charge of public indecency.

Natasha Frenchko, an assistant county prosecutor, told Judge Krichbaum today the pleas and sentences were only recommended after meeting representatives of the team that cares for the victim in the case, who is an adult but has the mind of a child.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com