Shaken baby’s dad heading to prison
By Jane Beathard
Staff Writer
It wasn’t the maximum sentence, but it was close.
[/media-credit] Tyler Stires
Stires was facing up to 18 months behind bars for the conviction.
He pleaded guilty in April to a single count of aggravated assault as part of a plea bargain with the county prosecutor’s office.
Stires admitted to roughly tossing the 69-day-old baby onto a bed. Later, he minimized responsibility for her injuries during a pre-sentence investigation.
Nichols said Stires delayed proper treatment for the child when he lied to emergency medical personnel who responded to a 9-1-1 call on July 12, 2011. The baby had stiffened and appeared lifeless.
She survived, but is subject to long-term medical problems. Doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital eventually noted symptoms of “shaken baby syndrome,” but Stires consistently denied abusing the child.
His attorney, an expert in defending child abuse cases, argued the syndrome doesn’t exist.
Prior to Friday’s sentencing, the baby’s mother told Nichols she did not seek revenge for her daughter’s injuries.
“I want him to take responsibility,” she said.
Stires apologized for his actions.
“I should have been a better father,” he said. “I hurt her family and my family.”
In a quirky aside to the sentencing, Nichols dismissed a civil stalking order against Stires that was requested by Roy Garrett, 40 Miller Ave., London.
Garrett is the former boyfriend of Ashley Kronk, who is currently dating Stires. Garrett and Kronk have a 3-year-old daughter together.
Garrett sought to prevent Kronk from taking their child to visit Stires. He said Kronk’s association with Stires put the girl in danger.
Nichols said the prison sentence rendered Garrett’s request pointless.
In other common pleas court action on Friday:
• Reko I. Cochran, 19, 5411 Bridle Creek Way, Hilliard, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a police officer’s signal. An additional charge of receiving stolen property was dismissed by the prosecutor.
Cochran was jailed on April 2 after leading authorities on a high-speed chase along Interstate 70 in a stolen car.
Nichols ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set disposition for July 19. The man faces up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Frank A. Moll, 33, 1864 Willow Run Rd., Grove City, pleaded guilty to violating a civil protection order on Jan. 24. Nichols ordered a shortened pre-sentence investigation and set disposition for July 19. He is eligible for community control, but is likely headed to prison.
• Joseph J. “Joey” Butts, 32, 10125 McKendree Rd., Mt. Sterling, pleaded guilty to passing $1,000 in bad checks between July 28 and Aug. 9, 2011. A separate probation violation charge was dismissed by the prosecutor.
Nichols set Butts’ sentencing for July 19.
• Ramon Cain, 32, 91 Riley Ave., London, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for failing to comply with a police officer’s signal. Cain pleaded guilty to leading authorities on a Feb. 4 chase along Lafayette-Plain City Road into Plain City.
He was previously convicted of a similar offense.
