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Judge D'Apolito tells man: get a job, support your kids
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Amonte Donaldson is 23. He has never had a job, dropped out of high school in 12th grade, has no driver’s license and has never driven a car.
He also has four children, but but he told Judge Lou D’Apolito on Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that despite everything, he takes care of them.
When asked how he takes care of them, Donaldson said: “I’m just there as a father.”
“That’s not good enough,” Judge D’Apolito answered.
Donaldson, of Willow Court, was in court to plead guilty to a fourth-degree felony charge of burglary, which was changed from a second-degree felony. He is accused of being in the Willow Court home of a woman who is the mother of one of those children June 26.
Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Burns said that the charge was amended because Donaldson did have a key to be in the home and did not break in. At the time, he also had two warrants for failure to appear in municipal court with the same victim.
The victim spoke to the attorneys and judge before the plea hearing. Judge D’Apolito told Donaldson he was impressed with her, but he wondered how Donaldson supports the children he fathered if he doesn’t have a job.
Donaldson said he works odd jobs, such as cutting lawns, shoveling snow and working for relatives. Judge D’Apolito said that’s not nearly enough.
Donaldson said he will do better. “Me, being the man I am today, I’m going to give my kids the best future ever,” he said.
The judge said Donaldson’s track record isn’t encouraging.
“For five years you haven’t done much,” Judge D’Apolito said. The judge said the only thing that works in Donaldson’s favor is he does not use drugs.
Donaldson said his mother lives in South Carolina. He called his father a “crackhead.” A brother is in prison for robbery.
Donaldson said he accepted responsibility for his past actions. “I was dumb. I made a dumb choice. A dumb decision,” Donaldson said.
Burns and defense attorney James Wise recommended that Donaldson be released from jail and allowed to attend counseling at Community Corrections Association through its in-house program, especially for anger management and stress. The judge agreed, but he told Donaldson he has to get a job, his GED and a driver’s license.
Donaldson said his license was suspended as a juvenile and the fine to get it reinstated is about $375. The judge said Donaldson’s lawyer can help him figure out a way to pay his fees.
Also, the judge told him the victim in the case wants nothing to do with Donaldson, except to help support their child.
“She wants nothing to do with you other than helping with the baby,” the judge said.
Donaldson said he understood and would comply with her wishes. Judge D’Apolito did not say what sentence he would hand down but would send Donaldson back to prison if he violates probation.