By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

Editor’s note: The following article contains information that may not be suitable for all readers.

WARSAW — Fayette Robinette, 60, Etna Green, one of five people charged in connection with the severe neglect and abuse of a Nappanee child in 2018, received a suspended sentence Monday, Oct 5, in Kosciusko Superior Court 1.

Fayette Robinette

Robinette pleaded guilty to failure to make a report, a class B misdemeanor during a change of plea hearing.

On March 2, officers with the Nappanee Police Department responded to a report of a child in need of service at 1200 N. Main St. Apartment 103, Nappanee. Officers discovered a young boy who was injured and in need of medical attention.

Rune Star Springer and Travis Wayne Tillotson, the boy’s mother and stepfather, told police the boy had been in the care of Jammy Stacy, Etna Green, for approximately one year.

According to information found in court records, on March 1, Stacy dropped the child off at Springer’s residence with visible injuries all over his body. Springer stated that she did not initially call the police because Stacy told her if she did they would both be arrested for child abuse. Tillotson wanted to get medical treatment for the boy at that time, but Springer convinced him not to.

The child was later taken to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne for treatment.

Medical staff advised that the boy had visible injuries in many stages of healing, indicating that the injuries occurred over an extended period of time.

The injuries included broken bones and broken teeth. He was also underweight and malnourished. 

Officers spoke with Dr. Jayesh Patel, who stated that the child’s injuries were life threatening and not accidental in nature. Dr. Patel stated that if the child had not received treatment at that point, he would have died within 48 hours.

When officers spoke with Stacy, she stated that she was the sole caregiver for the child from October 2017 until March 1. She said that the boy would occasionally spend the night with her aunt — Robinette.

In August, Stacy was sentenced to 16 years in prison for her involvement.

Robinette was initially scheduled for a two-day jury trial in this case on Oct. 13. A Motion to Vacate Pre-Trial Conference and Set Change of Plea Hearing was filed, and Robinette pleaded guilty Oct. 5 to the proposed plea. 

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz described the investigation surrounding the case as “the most diligent I’ve been part of.”

Voelz said the child’s condition deteriorated rapidly during the last month prior to medical treatment being sought. 

Robinette’s last contact with the boy likely occurred in late January or early February, with Robinette maintaining she did not have contact with the boy during that most relevant period of the case.  

“We think we have come to the correct resolution,” Voelz said.

Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement Judge David Cates sentenced Robinette to 180 days in the Kosciusko County Jail, with the sentence suspended and ordered to be served on non-reporting probation. 

“Ms. Robinette, this child deserved better,” Judge Cates said.