A mother of three has pleaded guilty to four charges of aggravated domestic violence and three charges of felony child abuse, after her children presented a tape recording her actions, as reported by the Sun Herald.
Senior Circuit Judge Kathy King Jackson sentenced S.W, 35, to 20 years in jail for each count of felony aggravated domestic violence, to be served concurrently with a 30-year sentence for each count of felony child abuse. S.W. will actually be imprisoned for 20 years and serve 10 under post-release supervision.
S.W. has also been ordered to have no further contact with her children who are now aged 13, 16 and 18.
Over many years S.W.'s children were physical abused – beaten and choked – as well as mentally abused.
In court transcripts and in the tapes the judge heard of one daughter that had an empty bread bag held over her nose to suffocate her, threats to gouge out their eyes, blacken an eye, beat them until their brains spilt out and, the children said that they woke each day wondering if it would be their last.
The children said their mother scripted them as to how to explain their bruises and choke marks if noticed in school – they were to tell any inquisitors that they were wrestling or a cat clawed them.
The cycle of abuse ended when S.W.'s son made recordings of different beatings and then presented the tapes to the Department of Human Services. The three children were removed from their mother's home.
In one recording S.W. is heard telling one of her children, "The biggest mistake of my life is you. You don't know how it feels to look at a kid and to regret that she ever took a breath."
S.W. claimed that the children had overblown the amount of abuse in the home. However she pleaded guilty and, according to her attorney Calvin Taylor, she did so to spare her children having to go through a court trial.
Taylor further argued that his client suffered with bipolar disorder.
The judge commented, "This is the most bizarre behavior that I believe I've heard in my life as a judge. I can't even imagine what they lived through and that doesn't even include the physical abuse."
Assistant District Attorney Angel Myers said, "…They went to bed at night afraid they were going to be killed by their mother. They woke up not knowing what the day would hold or if they would be killed by their mother. So it's just terrible. We're lucky it's not a capital murder."
District Attorney Tony Lawrence added, "…I commend the work of law enforcement and my office for their investigation of the case. Because of their work and dedication, we were able to hold Ms. (S.W.) accountable for her horrible acts."
The fact that one of these children took great lengths in ending the domestic violence in their home by recording it and turning it over to authorities, took great strength. To end your cycle of abuse contact a family law attorney for help today!