Bethany Bruner

Reporter

NEWARK – A Newark woman was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday after she was given a chance to prove herself to a Licking County judge, but failed to meet her obligations.

In June, 33-year-old Angela Walsh’s 2-year-old son ingested at least four pills of the anti-psychotic medication Invega, which is commonly used to treat schizophrenia. Walsh did not call 911 for a minimum of 22 hours, though possibly longer, because she feared Licking County Children Services would take the child.

Walsh has six children, none of which are in her custody, Oswalt said in court Thursday.

Walsh had entered a guilty plea in September to one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony. After that hearing, Licking County Common Pleas Court Judge David Branstool ordered Walsh released on an own-recognizance bond to give her an opportunity to work a case plan with Children Services and be on a period of probation.

Thursday, Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt said Walsh had not fulfilled her obligations. He said Walsh had been living with someone she had only recently met and had not followed through with several requirements, including seeking counseling and working a case plan.

“It’s not good judgment of a person who wants to be a parent,” Oswalt said. “I don’t think the defendant thinks this is a serious issue.”

While Oswalt spoke, Walsh shook her head and appeared to disagree with his statements.

Walsh’s attorney, Christopher Shook, said he had not been informed of any serious issues and said Walsh had gotten a job and had appointments to get started in counseling.

Shook said Walsh had “significant distrust of the system” which played a “significant role in the mistakes that led to this case.” He said Walsh did have some issues with taking full responsibility for her actions.

Walsh also had a disproportionate trust that God would take care of things for her and her children, Shook said.

“She thinks God will do more for her and her kids than the medical community can do,” he said.

Walsh originally declined to speak, but did respond to questions from Branstool.

Branstool asked Walsh why she continued to have children after her four oldest children were taken from her custody. Walsh responded that she always wanted to have two kids and the youngest two, who were in her custody in June, were the first she had the opportunity to parent.

“To be honest, Children Services has never given me the option to work a case plan,” Walsh said.

When deciding on his sentence, Branstool said Walsh’s performance while on bond was “lackluster, to say the least.” He also said Walsh’s attitude toward Children Services workers was terrible.

“It’s disgusting, what’s happened in this case,” he said. “You’ve had six children taken from you, you have no business reproducing.”

Branstool said Shook and Oswalt had given Walsh a chance to show she wants to do the right thing by giving her a chance to prove herself for nearly two months and she did not take advantage of the opportunity.

Walsh will be given 84 days of jail time credit.