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Woman says she gave children pot, alcohol: Ordered to perform community service, undergo counseling, drug evaluation

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May 7, 2009

by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia -- A Navajo Trail woman will have to complete a number of court-ordered assignments to avoid a six-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to giving marijuana and alcohol to Nordonia Middle School students.

Don Ursetti, spokesman for the Summit County Juvenile Court, said Deborah A. Woodard, 42, pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor on April 16. Five additional counts against Woodard were dropped "as part of a plea agreement," said Ursetti.

Woodard did not return calls seeking comment. Her attorney, Joe Gorman, declined to comment.

Ursetti said Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio handed down a six-month suspended sentence to Woodard.

To stay out of jail, Woodard must complete 40 hours of community service, undergo parental counseling and substance abuse evaluation and have no contact with the children involved in the case, according to Ursetti. In mid-June, the court will review her progress in meeting the conditions, he added.

According to Summit County Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Cottle, Woodard was arrested at her home Feb. 13, about a week after the sheriff's office began investigating reports by parents that someone was providing alcohol and marijuana to some Nordonia Middle School students.

Cottle said Woodard became the focus of the investigation on Feb. 11 after she called the school to report that a 14-year-old boy, who is not her son, would be absent.

Cottle said at least six students, all age 13 and 14, were involved in at least nine incidents, either at Woodard's home or in her car, since Jan. 10. He said none of the incidents took place on school property.

Cottle said none of the children were charged. He said Woodard was charged in juvenile court because the case involved minors.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169




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