Friday, February 16, 2018
By Justin Wier
YOUNGSTOWN
A judge granted early judicial release from prison to a Boardman woman for duct-taping her son to a chair.
Susan Malysa, 33, of Roche Way, received a nine-month prison sentence in November on a charge of child endangering in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Judge R. Scott Krichbaum agreed Tuesday to suspend the remainder of her prison sentence.
Malysa will serve three years’ probation with the condition she seek mental-health counseling. She also will not be allowed to have contact with her children.
“The punitive aspect of this sentence has been satisfied,” Judge Krichbaum said. “To punish someone beyond what is necessary is counterproductive.”
Malysa apologized for her actions and said she regularly attended counseling programs and religious services while in prison.
“I realize that I do have a problem,” Malysa said.
Judge Krichbaum agreed.
“I believe somebody who did this to their child has to have some kind of mental problem,” he said.
A relative found Malysa’s 12-year-old son duct-taped to a chair at her Boardman home while Malysa went swimming with another child.
At sentencing, the judge told Malysa he wouldn’t treat his dog the way she treated her child.
At Tuesday’s hearing, her attorney emphasized Malysa had no prior criminal record and her son suffered no physical harm as a result of her actions.
Family members have taken custody of both children.
Assistant County Prosecutor Jennifer McLaughlin, who initially recommend a 60-day jail sentence and mental health counseling, did not object to Malysa’s early release.
Malysa will remain in the Mahoning County jail pending the court’s approval of a mental health treatment regimen.