BRIGHTON, Colo., May 12, 2007
Granny Sentenced For Caging Grandson
For Three Years Boy Was Locked In Dog Kennel Each Night Grandmother Went To Work As A Jail Counselor
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June Candalerio was sentenced to three years in prison and one year of probation for locking her grandson inside a dog kennel every night for three years while she went to work as a jail counselor. (KCNC)
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Interactive Children In Danger Warning signs, state-by-state child services information and a history of child welfare reforms.
Under a plea bargain, June Candelario was also sentenced Friday to one year of probation.
"I cannot imagine any society that would say it is just and fair to inflict this harm on a child that cannot protect himself," Adams County District Court Judge Harlan Bockman said.
Candelario, a former state trooper, put the boy in a 4 foot by 3 foot (1.2 by 1 meter) kennel each day at 4 p.m. and let him out hours later when she returned from work, authorities said.
She pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit child abuse that resulted in bodily harm and a misdemeanor count of child abuse.
The boy was 10 when the abuse began and 13 when Candelario was arrested last May.
"I felt like I was in a prison in my home," said a letter from the boy, which was read in court. "When I was in the cage, I felt scared and lonely and that I was not loved by my grandma."
The boy's foster mother said the boy refused to attend sentencing because he remains afraid of Candelario.
CBS Station KCNC in Denver reports investigators said Candelario told them the boy was safer in the kennel than on the streets.
Candelario addressed the court before sentencing.
"I meant no harm to my grandson," she said. "I love him very much. I regret my actions. I made a mess of things."
Candelario's lawyers asked the court for mental health services for their client.
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See all 26 CommentsBETTER than granny.Fry the old seahag.
Shows how much we value children.
At least the child was safe.
But why didn't try to get help?
The granny works at a place of confinement; so apparently she didn't see much of a problem with the boy caged for his own good.
Now she is caged; I doubt if it will bother her.
The whole incident is unfortunate; but for three years in a dog cage? Bow wow! Wow wow! LOL
I bet this little guy will know to stay put and not get in trouble.
His lot is prolly better than being exposed to all kind of unwanted influences while the granny was out.
And yes, why didn't she get help!
the woman is 69 and NOT senile, she KNEW what she was doing was against the law, and WRONG, it wasn't just a silly little mistake, it was a deliberate daily ACTION to avoid doing the right thing, getting a friend or relative to sit with the kid... and the attornies asked for MENTAL HEALTH services, sure give them to her after she serves her 3 years, just like the kid got...
This woman was obviously confused and frightened when it came to what she had to do about a responsibility she accepted completely. Her actions were wrong, but she obviously cared about the child and was concerned about his welfare. Her alternative seemed to be to turn him over to child welfare where he would be placed in foster homes where who knows what would have happened to him. It's a fact that most foster children are scarred for life just from being in the system, which just
can't seem to get their act together.
The woman was obviously wrong, but in her mind she was doing what she thought was best for him. She worked to support him, fed him and loved him. If there was a place to put him that she could afford while she worked, she obviously would have done that. If anything, this woman was not convicted for lack of love, but for not being very bright.
Instead of our system understanding that so many people are in this position and providing help, they lock this woman in a place where they know she's going to be despised and gone after. Wonderful!
That is the whole problem with our justice system. Child killers/molesters/abusers almost always get a slap on the wrist for their evil deeds. But then they put someone in prison for 20 years for having a personal stash of pot. I really don't give a dam* if a person smokes pot on their own time as long as they don't sell it to kids, in schools, and don't get crazy in a vehicle after smoking it. But then you have these low lifes getting 3 years for abusing their kids or 3 years for downloading kiddie porn on their computers and these types of crime are the worst. Give this woman and those like her 15-20 and you can bet the abuses to children will decline. Harsher sentencing is the answer.
Posted by billysmith6
than maybe someone else should raise this child, control problems or not, what was done is purely wrong.
the question is, how did this person become his guardian. if this was his only choice or whats best for him, that poor boy has a long road ahead. hope her 3 years are in a cell 3 ft by 4 ft.
Get real, billysmith6. How ignorant can you get???
VERY good point. I couldn't agree with you more. I worked with an Indian woman whose son and daughter in law lived with her and her husband. She said it was customary and that when they had children she would quite working to care for her grandchildren. I thought that was wonderful. So many of us are too territorial to even consider sharing homes with relatives even if it does facilitate better families and child care.
Either way this lady certainly needs help.
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