Saline mom placed on probation for keeping daughter's friend against her will overnight
A Saline woman who refused to let her teenage daughter’s friend leave during a planned sleepover last summer is now on probation and will have to meet several conditions to stay out of jail.
Cheryl Applegate, 39, was ordered to serve one year in jail for fourth-degree child abuse for the July incident involving a 14-year-old Saline girl. But District Judge Richard Conlin suspended the sentence for one year as long as Applegate stays away from the minor and the girl’s family and does not own any weapons, records show.
She must also refrain from drug and alcohol use and is prohibited from any assaultive or threatening behavior. Conlin also imposed $680 in fines.
Applegate pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge in November, and prosecutors dropped one count of unlawful imprisonment. Court records show she admitted to making the girl stay with her even though Applegate’s daughter did not show up. She also prevented her from calling anyone, and the girl felt scared throughout the night, police reports said. She was not harmed and left the next morning.
Police said Applegate was referred for treatment at the University of Michigan Medical Center’s psychiatric ward due to statements she made regarding the incident.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
actionjackson
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
@Bill Last paragraph of article states that she was referred to UofM for psychiatric exam.
ROBERT GUENTHER
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
If it was late at night I can see not letting her walk home but not letting her use the phone was stupid.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
Since the action took place over a period of "overnight" - there can be no defense based on "momentary lapse of judgement," can there? What is so hard to understand: we cannot frighten others into doing what we want nor can we apply physical force against others unless it's in self defense.
Bill
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
I put myself in the girl's position and it must have been a night of terror for her locked up in a strangers house without her friend, no access to a phone, and stuck there for the night. I understand our prisons are full, but what about a mental health examination for Cheryl Applegate??? probation just doesn't make sense.
WalkingJoe
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
At first glance I thought this might be something blown out of proportion, but after reading the whole article it was actually frightening. Thank goodness nothing really bad happened but what possessed this woman to act this way?