Crosspost:
http://www.ktbs.com/news/local/5072256.html
Judge tells parents of injured baby they will have daily reminder of what happened
The Bossier City couple whose baby had her toes bitten off by a family pet pleaded guilty today to improper child supervision and will be released this afternoon after spending three and a half weeks in jail.
The ferret believed to have attacked the baby -- along with a puppy initially thought to have done it -- will be put up for adoption.
Under a plea agreement between prosecutors and the defense, Mary Hansche, 22, and Christopher Hansche, 26, admitted to misdemeanor charges of child abandonment. They were fined $100 each and agreed to give up their pets and attend parenting classes before they have a chance to get their daughter back.
"Your punishment will be ongoing," Bossier District Judge Johnny Robinson told them, "every time you look at the baby's feet."
On the December morning the infant was attacked, the Hansches said they woke up and found four of their month-old daughter's toes bitten off.
Police initially thought the couple's then-six-week-old puppy did it, but attorneys on both sides said it was the couple's pet ferret.
Defense attorney Pam Smart said the ferret likely bit the baby's toes off quickly before the sleeping parents could react and did not gnaw them off in an attack that would have taken longer.
The puppy is now about 10 weeks old. Fearing that the dog would be euthanized, dozens of people called or e-mailed Bossier officials and news outlets, wanting to adopt it. News reports showed the baby pit bull shivering from head to tail.
District Attorney Schuyler Marvin said he believes there were enough mitigating circumstances in the case to offer a plea agreement with the list of conditions. There was no intent by the couple to harm their baby, Marvin said, calling the decision to leave the ferret out of its cage a "lapse in judgment."
The now seven-week-old baby, along with a 2-year-old brother, will remain in foster care. Attorneys said a grandmother has the children. The state and a judge will decide later if the Hansches can regain custody.
The Hansches admitted to a misdemeanor that accuses them of not doing enough to protect their baby.
http://www.ktbs.com/news/local/5072256.html
Judge tells parents of injured baby they will have daily reminder of what happened
The Bossier City couple whose baby had her toes bitten off by a family pet pleaded guilty today to improper child supervision and will be released this afternoon after spending three and a half weeks in jail.
The ferret believed to have attacked the baby -- along with a puppy initially thought to have done it -- will be put up for adoption.
Under a plea agreement between prosecutors and the defense, Mary Hansche, 22, and Christopher Hansche, 26, admitted to misdemeanor charges of child abandonment. They were fined $100 each and agreed to give up their pets and attend parenting classes before they have a chance to get their daughter back.
"Your punishment will be ongoing," Bossier District Judge Johnny Robinson told them, "every time you look at the baby's feet."
On the December morning the infant was attacked, the Hansches said they woke up and found four of their month-old daughter's toes bitten off.
Police initially thought the couple's then-six-week-old puppy did it, but attorneys on both sides said it was the couple's pet ferret.
Defense attorney Pam Smart said the ferret likely bit the baby's toes off quickly before the sleeping parents could react and did not gnaw them off in an attack that would have taken longer.
The puppy is now about 10 weeks old. Fearing that the dog would be euthanized, dozens of people called or e-mailed Bossier officials and news outlets, wanting to adopt it. News reports showed the baby pit bull shivering from head to tail.
District Attorney Schuyler Marvin said he believes there were enough mitigating circumstances in the case to offer a plea agreement with the list of conditions. There was no intent by the couple to harm their baby, Marvin said, calling the decision to leave the ferret out of its cage a "lapse in judgment."
The now seven-week-old baby, along with a 2-year-old brother, will remain in foster care. Attorneys said a grandmother has the children. The state and a judge will decide later if the Hansches can regain custody.
The Hansches admitted to a misdemeanor that accuses them of not doing enough to protect their baby.
