By SYDNEY KENT
A woman from Bluffton who repeatedly abused, controlled and confined an elderly family member in her care did not receive any prison time.
Natasha Stanton, 42, pled guilty to two counts of domestic battery causing bodily injury. She was sentenced to two years in prison with all time suspended as well as 462 days in jail — time served with a day-for-day credit — for the charges. She is required to report to probation following her release from jail.
As part of a plea agreement with the state, three counts of domestic battery using a deadly weapon, all Level 5 felonies, one count of strangulation, and one count of confinement, all Level 6 felonies, were dismissed.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the charges were filed after an elderly family member escaped Stanton’s residence and ran to a neighbor’s house to call for help. The victim reported that Stanton had strangled her, making it difficult to breathe, which led the victim to seek help. However, the abuse reportedly began long before Stanton’s arrest.
The victim reported that Stanton broke her arm and “prayed” over it while also condemning her for the injury. Stanton had Power of Attorney over the victim. This allowed Stanton to control many facets of the victim’s life — including finances and government assistance. She reported that Stanton would deny her food, lock her in her room and not allow her to leave. She also said that the abuse escalated approximately six weeks before the report — when Stanton’s boyfriend moved in.
Prosecutor Colin Andrews indicated that Stanton’s boyfriend was also a victim — so much so that the no-contact order between the two will remain.
“He’s just been damaged by the whole thing,” Andrews said. “I would ask for probation to engage in significant psychological counseling. Stanton acknowledges that and says she needs help. I’m not asking for additional jail time and the victims are not asking for additional jail time.”
Andrews told the court there was a “significant pattern” of mental health issues in Stanton’s family.
“If you read the probable cause affidavit,” Andrews noted. “At one point (Stanton’s) son told police that she speaks directly to God.”
Andrews went on to say that Stanton’s family is “quite spiritual — to the point of exorcism being used” and that there is a clear pattern of controlling behavior. According to court documents, Stanton’s 9-year-old son lived in the home during the ongoing abuse. The victim in the case reported that she endured Stanton’s treatment out of fear of what may happen to him.
“In speaking with the family, (they) have the tools in place to protect themselves,” Andrews told the court. “I think it was an eye-opening experience for (the family). They realized there were options outside of staying in the home in a toxic environment.”
Andrews did not comment on what tools Stanton’s son has accessible. Judge Kenton Kiracofe noted that a Child In Need of Services case was in process for Stanton’s son. He asked the parties if anyone had spoken to the Department of Child Services about expectations.
Stanton’s public defender, Cory Spreen, said he believed that DCS intended to reunify Stanton with her 9-year-old son. He advised he did not know with certainty.
“She needs to be there for him,” Spreen said. “Not just as she is now, but as a whole human and healthy adult. It’s my hope that she gets the help she needs.”
Kiracofe explained that the reason for the court’s sentence was for Stanton to be supervised and receive services locally. Kiracofe also stated that Stanton had spent 18 months in jail and referred to the time awaiting disposition in her case as a “significant amount of time.” However, according to court documents and coverage of the case, Stanton was incarcerated for 231 days — approximately 8 months. She has since been released from the Wells County Jail.
sydney@news-banner.com
