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Walworth County couple sentenced to prison; judge says “you deprived this child”
Walworth County couple sentenced to prison; judge says "you deprived this child"
ELKHORN -- A Genoa couple will serve time in prison for multiple counts of child abuse for the abuse of a young boy. The acts they are convicted of are heinous. Yet more than a dozen people showed up in court on Friday, July 22nd to speak on behalf of Michael and Carrie Donahue.
It was a very emotional four hours in the courtroom on Friday -- especially when a judge sentenced Carrie Donahue to six years and nine months in prison. Carrie's husband, Michael, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.
The couple was found guilty of multiple charges of child abuse including causing mental harm to a child, false imprisonment and neglecting a child.
Judge David Reddy
"Even as inmates, you will be provided the sort of humane treatment you deprived this child," said Judge David Reddy.
Those words were spoken by the judge moments after sentencing the Donahues to prison for multiple counts of child abuse against a then-12-year-old boy.
"Any remorse that was expressed by these parties was expressed toward themselves and not toward the victim," said the judge.
Michael Donahue
"If I get prison time, it would put an extreme hardship on my family and have repercussions where I live and work," said Michael Donahue.
The Donahues are accused of things such as eating in front of the boy, but not letting the boy eat.
"It is hard to believe that a parent would lock a child in a room for 12 hours at a time, or force that child to keep his hands in his mouth until his mouth was bleeding and chapped," said Haley Johnson, prosecuting attorney.
"Forever embedded in my mind is what my nephew looked like, smelled like, and the fear in his eyes on December 17th, the day he was taken from you," said the aunt of the victim.
Carrie Donahue
"Help is all I wanted for him and help is all I was asking for. But it never seemed to work," said Carrie Donahue.
The child's mother also begged for help -- wanting the judge to impose a harsh sentence.
"My children are in constant fear. And unless Carrie Donahue is severely punished for these crimes and rehabilitated extensively, there will be no closure," said the victim's mother.
15 people spoke on behalf of the defendants in this case.
"She opens her doors for people she barely knows and helps them," said one friend.
The Donahues were immediately taken into custody. Both defendants' attorneys say they will pursue appeals.