Monitor Editor
STARKE— Circuit Judge James M. Colaw sentenced a 37-year-old Starke woman to three years in prison for failing to secure needed medical treatment for her child.
Sara Anne Peebles of Starke pleaded on June 15 to child neglect with great bodily harm. The defendant also pleaded to the Nov. 23, 2021, offenses of selling methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell.
According to court papers, Peebles’s child was born with a critical heart condition. A child protection team investigation revealed that of 22 medical appointments scheduled for the boy between Sept. 10, 2020, and Aug. 18, 2021, the defendant failed to show up for seven and canceled an additional six appointments.
Bradford Sheriff’s Detective Kimberly Mosely wrote in a sworn affidavit that because of the missed medical appointments, the child was in heart failure at the time of the mother’s arrest.
“Had Peebles provided the proper medical care, attending medical appointments as scheduled, (the victim) would not be in heart failure at this time.” Mosely wrote.
Deputies originally investigated the mother after an anonymous tip claimed the child suffered a burn on his pinky finger and the mother did not seek treatment for the injury.
“It was noted that Peebles stated the injury came from a toy pinching (the boy’s) finger which medical staff disagreed, stating it was a burn,” wrote Mosely.
