Ohio woman who stole stuffed toy from grave gets jail time

ONTARIO, Ohio - An Ohio woman who was seen on surveillance video taking a stuffed animal from a child's grave has been ordered to spend a month in jail.

Fifty-four-year-old Frieda Kay Shade of Mansfield claimed she took the stuffed duck from an Ontario cemetery because she didn't want it to be destroyed by a dog running loose nearby.

The Mansfield News Journal reports a municipal judge sentencing Shade Tuesday for misdemeanor theft said he didn't believe her story. He gave her 180 days in jail with all but 30 days suspended, plus community service and a fine. Her cemetery access also is restricted.

According to the newspaper, this summer, Ontario police charged Shade with stealing items from a baby's gravesite at Mansfield Memorial Park. Detective Jon Sigler said Shade turned herself in in April.

The Easter toy duck was left by family at the grave of 14-month-old Hayden "Tank" Cole Sheridan, who died in 2007.

According to CBS affiliate WOIO, police set up surveillance cameras in the cemetery after Sheridan's parents complained that someone was stealing toys and solar night lights from the baby's grave.

A message was left Wednesday for Shade's lawyer.