A grandmother has pleaded guilty to abusing her own grandson for years.
Loni Venegas entered an Alford plea on Thursday, and was sentenced to 35 months in prison.
Venegas and her husband, Ramil Venegas, are accused of abusing their young grandson at their Puyallup home after his mother died in a car wreck.
The victim, now a young teen, wanted to be present to face his abusers in court. Jamil Venegas sat across the room from his grandfather as his grandmother learned her fate.
According to court documents, Loni allegedly cut her step-grandson’s leg with a fork, then pouring vinegar over the wound on at least one occasion. She is also accused of choking the boy until he nearly passed out and beating the bottoms of his hands and feet with a bamboo stick.
In one alleged incident, Loni refused to let the boy use the bathroom, forcing him to urinate on the floor, the document states. Loni then made him lie down on the floor and mop up the urine with the clothes he was wearing, the documents said.
While the boy was on the floor, Loni allegedly stomped on the back of his head, causing his chin to bang against the floor and bleed. The boy required 12 stitches following the incident.
Several of Jamil’s teachers and principals reported his cuts and bruising to Child Protective Services several times over the years, but nothing was done, bringing an apology from the then-secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services.
After spending two and a half years in prison, claiming she never did a thing to her grandson, Loni on Thursday again refused to take responsibility and entered an Alford plea. Under the plea, the defendant admits no wrongdoing, but admits a jury is likely to find her guilty.
The move outraged Jamil’s uncle and guardian.
“It’s hard to believe we’re discussing a plea bargain for such a heinous crime,” said Jonathan Paz.
But the defendants’ own family said the situation is just as hurtful to them.
“It hurts that we’ve had to come this far, but I’m just hurt,” said their daughter, Jasmin Venegas.
Loni’s original conviction and 14-year sentence were thrown out by the Court of Appeals. The prosecutor reduced the charge to second degree abuse of a child. The new 35-month sentence means she could be released fairly soon as she’ll receive credit for time served.
Remil has a;ready pleaded guilty to criminal mistreatment of a child, and was ordered to serve 200 hours of community service time. He was not given any prison time.
Tacomanewshound's Blog 