Ohio judge orders woman to spend Christmas in jail

CLEVELAND (AP) — A judge is making sure a retired teacher spends Christmas in jail for helping her son evade capture on sex-abuse charges.

Cleveland.com reports that 63-year-old Cheryl Waters was sentenced Monday to one year of probation, with visiting Cuyahoga County Judge Michael J. Corrigan ordering that she be held in jail until her probation begins Dec. 26.

Waters’ attorney asked Corrigan to reconsider the probation date so she could spend Christmas with her family, but the judge refused, saying: “She will spend Christmas in the county jail.”

Waters pleaded guilty in July to obstructing justice after prosecutors said she sent money to her son, William Waters III, and concealed his whereabouts.

William Waters III is serving life without parole for sexually abusing three girls over seven years.