Yeah -- I think a plea is almost always offered when the offender is not the main actor in a rape and/or murder case, etc., but I don't see this bulldog DA giving up too much. I'm so glad the DA is a bulldog on this -- he was great, IMO, and he brought it all home for Teghan's sake and for those who will suffer the loss of her and always be sorrowful and hurting.
The only charge against her that I can recall -- and there certainly could be more by now, but I haven't seen it -- is "negligent child abuse causing serious bodily harm." (I've put a link to an older article below -- I haven't seen anything new on the Reyes case.) I'll have to research that charge the NC Gen Statutes to see what the possible penalty could be. I don't think we should just let her slip through the cracks. She had choices -- more than many of us would have had. I still think she left that precious treasure with him to help further cement their relationship and to give her an excuse for going back to him when she returned from active duty. I guess she figured that "a little bit of abuse" would be okay -- that it would be worth it. She was so horribly, horribly wrong. But she's got another child, ya know, so I guess it's okay with her. JMHO. Grrrrrr.
http://abc11.com/archive/7581917/
Thinking of Teghan. Wondering if any news on HR trial? Anybody heard anything?
I just don't understand ... why is it taking so long??
I also check periodically and so far have found zip. My big fear is that the statute of limitations has run out or is about to run out. It's maddening that HR may never pay for her negligence.
July 29, 2010 - Warrant for arrest of HR issued.
July 29, 2010 – HR posts $50,000 bond at 10 pm. DA had asked the bond to be increased to 250k but judge refused.
July 30, 2010 – HR scheduled for first court appearance. Sheriff Bizell says "Helen Reyes, in my opinion, neglected her duties as a mother.
"This so-called mother failed to provide the care that children need, desire and deserve.”
August 12, 2010 – HR's court date. Is this the second one?
March 25, 2014 – JR found guilty. Article notes Reyes was charged with negligent child abuse/serious bodily injury. A warrant for Reyes' arrest said she "had first-hand knowledge that this type of abuse had occurred prior to July 5 by Jonathan Richardson."
The warrant also stated that Reyes subjected her daughter to "verbal threats, intimidation, forced consumption of alcohol, severe physical beatings and assault by biting."
HR Warrant:
http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wtvd/docs/reyes_arrest_warrant_072910.pdf
14-318.4. Child abuse a felony.
(A4) - A parent or any other person providing care to or supervision of a child less than 16 years of age whose willful act or grossly negligent omission in the care of the child shows a reckless disregard for human life is guilty of a
Class E felony if the act or omission results in serious bodily injury to the child.
Class E Felony - G.S. 14-318.4(a4) - Child abuse (willful act or grossly negligent omission which shows a reckless disregard for human life and results in serious bodily injury to the child). (Effective 12/1/08)
Curiously, an Examiner article published on July 28, 2010 says:
The mother's absence will not be enough to clear her name since Reyes left her daughter in a dangerous situation. This is where the General Statute 7-B 101 comes in. The G.S. 7-B 101, by meaning, stands on listing b.
For a mother not to notice Richardson's potentially explosive behavior patterns or less than healthy living quarters, by which Reyes lived for a month, it could be chalked up as unbelievable or simple acceptance of such unhealthy lifestyle.
And that is why Reyes may be off the hook surrounding murder charges due to her absence at the time of the crime but dead on as a contributor of child abuse, under G.S. 7-B 101.
http://www.examiner.com/article/mother-of-murdered-4-year-old-teghan-skiba-off-the-hook-but-dead-on
Where did this information and analysis come from? Maybe here:
Social workers also substantiated that Reyes abused the girl by leaving her in Richardson's custody.
"The finding concerning Ms. Reyes does not mean that she personally inflicted injuries on Teghan," the report said. "The definition of abuse in G.S. 7B-101 includes creating or allowing to be created a substantial risk of serious physical injury by other than accidental means."
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/8048026/
So what exactly happened? Was the original warrant amended? LE cites 14-318.4 (A4) while social workers cite G.S. 7B-101. I hate that I'm too stoopid to understand...
http://www.wncn.com/story/20906596/mother-of-slain-child-released-on-bond
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/30/603952_sheriff-mother-saw-boyfriend-abuse.html?rh=1
http://www.wncn.com/story/20904972/nc-mother-charged-with-abuse-facing-court-date
http://www.wnct.com/story/25067811/jury-finds-richardson-guilty-of-murder-in-teghan-skiba-trial
A refresher - Search warrant and Probable cause Statement:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/46774529/Jonathan-Douglas-Richardson-Search-Warrant
Nothing sticks.
