Babysitter Gets Sentenced To Two Years In Neglect Case
Babysitter Gets Sentenced To Two Years In Neglect Case
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Amanda Bridgman-
Babysitter Gets Sentenced To Two Years In Neglect CaseThe babysitter convicted of neglect by a jury in November after a child in her care was found with more than 30 bite marks was sentenced to jail Monday.
Theresa S. Bumblis, 29, of 1054 N. Park Ave., Warsaw, was convicted of a Level 6 felony neglect of a dependent charge Nov 4. by a jury in Kosciusko Superior Court III. Bumblis had represented herself in the matter and seemed to not understand how legal proceedings worked throughout the trial, with Superior Court III Judge Joe Sutton telling her that is a risk of refusing legal counsel.
On Monday, Bumblis was sentenced by Judge Jerry Barr, who was filling in for Sutton. Barr sentenced her to two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with six months executed in the Kosciusko County Jail and the remainder to be served on probation. Barr also ordered Bumblis to have no contact with any children, except her biological children, while she serves her two-year sentence. Bumblis said she plans to appeal, and then said she “doesn’t consent” to being taken to jail because it will hurt her ability to work on her appeal – something she again refused appointment of legal counsel for.
The case stems from an August 2017 incident in which police responded to a call after Lauren Wilson found more than 30 bite marks on her 18-month-old daughter after being picked up from Bumblis’ home, where she was being babysat. Wilson’s other child, her 3-year-old son, had been picked up around noon that day from Bumblis’ residence after Bumblis texted Wilson and said her son had been bitten by another child at the home that had a biting problem.
The Wilsons’ son had two bite marks on his butt, one on his knuckles and one on his right shoulder. Wilson said she phoned the children’s pediatrician and her daughter still has a scar on her stomach from the incident, and it took nearly two months for the marks to go away.
During the trial, Bumblis repeatedly demanded a mistrial, said she objected to the jurisdiction of the court and accused Wilson of lying and conspiring to get her.
In court Monday, Bumblis immediately asked the judge to dismiss the case completely, and then repeatedly answered Barr’s questions by saying, “I am a living woman, the flesh lives, and the blood flows” and nothing stands between her and her creator.
Myra Barnett, the great-grandmother of the victim in the case, gave a victim impact statement Monday.
“Theresa, my granddaughter trusted you ... you allowed her to get bitten by another little child ... while she was in your care. She could have suffocated and died that day with a much bigger child on top of her ... and you still have no remorse for what happened. You should go to jail for this. I’m very emotional because of what could have happened to her,” Barnett said, at times holding back tears.
Wilson also testified Monday, looking Bumblis in the eye and saying, “I can’t comprehend how you can continue to deny and deny for over three years and not take fault for what happened that day. My grandmother was right, she could have died that day. You’re lucky she didn’t. I think you deserve the max ... it’s disgusting.”
Kosciusko County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek was arguing on behalf of the state in the case and said that while this is Bumblis’ first criminal offense, there are more aggravating factors than that one mitigating factor. He said Bumblis was in a position of care, that she has shown no remorse and has taken no responsibility for her actions and that the damage caused exceeded the evidence that the state needed to prove.
“These children had no marks before they were dropped off (that day),” Sobek said. “When they were picked up, one was covered in welts.”
Sobek said the state believes some jail time is appropriate along with an extended probation to allow Bumblis to realize there are laws and she has to follow them.
That remark came on the heels of Bumblis denying that she is an American citizen and telling the judge she “was told” she’s been convicted of a crime, to which Barr said, “You were present.”
As she was ushered off to the custody of the sheriff, Bumblis said, “I object and do not consent.”
