HARTFORD CITY, Ind. – A Hartford City mother whose 15-year-old son took a handgun to Blackford High School was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison.

Staci R. Williams, 40, had acknowledged to investigators she was aware her son had a firearm, but never discussed the matter with him.

The boy – who had been in trouble related to guns before – took the weapon to the high school on Oct. 30, resulting a lock down and a delay in dismissal of students that day.

Williams on March 4 had pleaded guilty to dangerous control of a child, a Level 5 felony that carried up to six years in prison.

“I realize my actions have affected the whole community, and I’m very regretful,” said Williams, who had 11 prior felony convictions.

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The charge she pleaded guilty to specifically refers to instances where a parent or guardian “knowingly, intentionally or recklessly permits (a) child to possess a firearm.”

The four-year sentence imposed by Blackford Circuit Court Judge Brian Bade was the maximum allowed under the terms of a plea agreement.

The judge told Williams she had “failed” as a parent, and in the process “placed every child who was attending Blackford High School in danger.”

Bade also told the defendant he found it “hard to believe you’ve been much of a positive influence in (her son’s) life.”

The judge said in addition to counseling for substance abuse she is likely to receive in prison, Williams should pursue any parenting classes made available to her.

Defense attorney Aaron Henderson said his client had relapsed on meth at the time of the incident.

“She recognizes the seriousness of what could have happened,” he said. “Had if not been for the drugs, she would have handled this differently.”

Henderson suggested Williams receive a two-year sentence followed by two years on probation. Blackford County Prosecutor Kevin Basey recommended the four-year prison term.

The Hartford City woman won’t begin serving the sentence imposed Tuesday until she completes a one-year term recently imposed for a probation violation in a Jay County drug-dealing case.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.