WARSAW — A Warsaw woman was sentenced today, Sept. 28, in Kosciusko Superior 1 Court on charges of neglect and assisting a criminal.

Stephanie L. Mikel, 27, 2854 S. Country Club Road, Warsaw, pleaded guilty to count I neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, a level 5 felony; and count II assisting a criminal, a level 6 felony.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in August 2016. An investigation found that on Aug. 8, 2016,  Mikel’s children were in the care of her boyfriend, Devan Bounds, while Mikel was at work. During that time, the victim wet her pants and Bounds became angry and struck the victim with a belt multiple times. The belt caused welts and lacerations to the back and buttocks of the 2-year-old child.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the victim’s aunt later observed the injuries and contacted authorities. In the course of the investigation, Mikel first admitted to being the one who disciplined the victim with a belt, but later recanted her story and advised that Bounds was responsible for the injuries. She stated that she was scared of Bounds, who has been physical with her in the past, and she was covering for him.

Bounds was sentenced on charges of battery and obstruction of justice in March.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katy Hampton submitted records from Kosciusko County Jail’s phone system showing that Mikel and Bounds have been in contact during his incarceration. Hampton further stated that Mikel was the one who bonded Bounds out of jail in the spring of 2017. Mikel denied that she is currently in a relationship with Bounds.

Mikel stated that she has taken numerous classes since the incident, most recently taking a class at the Beaman Home in Warsaw regarding the effect domestic abuse has on children. According to Mikel, the class she attended through Beaman Home has been the most eye-opening.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Mikel stated.

At that time, Judge David Cates asked Mikel what, specifically, she has learned.

“I thought I was an independent person because I was working and taking care of things, but in reality I was under someone’s thumb and doing whatever they wanted,” Mikel responded.

Mikel continued, “I want my girls to see how things should be. I’m their role model. I’m looking back and wondering why I thought those things were acceptable.”

In regards to the count I neglect of a dependent, level 5 felony charge, Cates sentenced Mikel to two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

For the count II assisting a criminal, level 6 felony charge, Cates sentenced Mikel to one year in the IDOC.

Cates ordered the sentences to be served consecutively. Cates further ordered both sentences to be suspended in full and served on probation. Mikel was given credit for one day of jail time. She was ordered to the Bowen Center for an assessment with regards to parenting skills and ordered to follow all recommendations of Bowen Center. She was further ordered to obtain and maintain employment, pay court fees and to have no contact with Bounds.

“You are to have no contact with Devan Bounds. You are to make sure your children have no contact with Devan Bounds,” Cates told Mikel, emphasizing, “No contact means no contact. I don’t care what the circumstances are.”