The Northwood woman who left her child tied up in her hotel room is going to prison.
Tabetha Sosnowicz, 38, appeared Monday in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Molly Mack.
She was indicted in August for two counts of endangering children, both third-degree felonies.
A bill of information against Sosnowicz was filed in October for endangering children, which accused her of repeatedly administering unwarranted discipline to a 14-year-old between Jan. 1-July 22.
“I don’t think anyone would disagree the facts of this case are horrific,” Mack said.
Sosnowicz pleaded guilty on Oct. 5 to all charges.
Defense attorney Kent Sobran pointed out the family members and counselors who attended in support.
He said that after her first husband died, she remarried and her life took a downward spiral. Sosnowicz started self-medicating, Sobran said.
Since receiving counseling, she has seen the error of her actions and is looking forward to her future and being reconnected with her children, Sobran said.
He asked for a community control sentence.
“She understands what took place in this case can never happen again,” Sobran said.
Wood County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lara Rump requested prison.
She said that the allegations for child abuse came to light after the Northwood Police Department conducted a welfare check at a hotel.
Officers found a child hogtied on the floor, Rump said.
“The abuse wasn’t just centralized to this one incident. It had been going on for several years,” Rump said.
Sosnowicz was present when a lot of abuse was going on, and admitting to tasing a child.
The child told the investigator: “Mom was nice when she tased me, she only did it on my foot,” Rump said.
Sosnowicz has two children from her first marriage and shares a child with her current husband, Jason Sosnowicz, 42.
The couple are accused of administering corporal punishment or other physical discipline, and restraining a child in a cruel manner for prolonged period. The discipline or restraint was excessive and could cause serious harm, according to the indictment.
The incidents occurred from July 4-22 and on or about July 22.
They were arrested July 29 after Northwood police responded to the Baymont Inn on Oregon Road for a welfare check request.
They found a 12-year-old boy tied, with his wrists and ankles behind his back with shoestrings, according to the indictment. He was on the floor next to the bed.
Tabetha Sosnowicz reportedly said she knew the boy was tied up and said they did so to keep him from getting candy while they slept.
According to the indictment, the boy was tied up at 3 a.m. and was still tied up when police arrived at 12:30 p.m.
Tabetha Sosnowicz cried while she read a prepared statement, saying she had put her kids through terrible things.
“From here on out I will do everything I can to not allow my judgment to get clouded again,” she said. “I plan to always put my kids first.”
The victims suffered serious physical and psychological harm, Mack said.
“You were aware of what was going on but you did nothing to protect your children,” Mack said.
Sosnowicz had a job and family support, which was evident from those in attendance at Monday’s hearing, Mack said.
Sosnowicz witnessed her son being punched in the stomach; she tied her child up and tased him, the judge said.
“It’s horrific,” Mack said.
She sentenced Sosnowicz to 36 months in prison for each of the three endangering charges.
Sosnowicz sobbed while Mack read the sentences, which will be served concurrently for a total of 36 months. She will get credit for time served.
Jason Sosnowicz pleaded guilty Oct. 21 to felonious assault, a second-degree felony, for knowingly causing physical harm to the child, and two counts of endangering children, both third-degree felonies.
He will be sentenced Dec. 19.
