Chapter 21 - Sentencing and restitution
Helena was thirty-five.
No prior criminal record.
No substance abuse.
Stable residence.
Business owner.
Convicted of two financial offenses and child endangerment.
No severe physical injury to Leo.
But repeated conduct.
Abuse of caregiver position.
Use of a child as a false explanation for commercial damage.
The prosecutor requested:
Short jail term.
Probation.
Restitution.
No business restrictions involving children.
Defense requested probation/home confinement.
Judge imposed:
Six months county custody, with four months suspended.
Two months actual custody.
Two years supervised probation.
No unsupervised caregiving responsibility for minors during probation unless court-approved.
No contact with Leo.
No managing insurance claims for third parties during probation unless legally authorized and disclosed.
Community service.
Then restitution.
Mercedes insurer loss:
$8,400 less recovered deductible/adjustments.
Bentley insurer correction:
$1,740 originally paid, though civil offsets complicated.
Documented Leo therapy/medical out-of-pocket costs:
Approximately $4,100.
Restitution hearing ultimately set total criminal restitution at:
$12,900
after avoiding duplicate recoveries.
Client civil claims separate.
Then Helena addressed court.
She said:
“I thought I was teaching Leo responsibility.”
The judge answered:
“Responsibility begins by assigning a person only the consequences of what that person actually did.”
Good.
Then she said:
“I was trying to save my business.”
Judge:
“A six-year-old was not your balance sheet.”
No theatrics beyond truth.
Helena served her two months.
Aurum did not automatically disappear while she was inside.
Her lawyer and interim manager handled operations.
Cody had resigned.
Two employees remained in detailing.
Others found work.
Then my diversion completed around same time.
My minor assault charge was dismissed after:
Counseling.
Community service.
Medical reimbursement.
No special exception.
May you like
Two adults had behaved unlawfully in the same garage for very different reasons.
Both had consequences.
