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WELLSBURG -- A Follansbee woman was sentenced Tuesday to two years of supervised probation for the death of her 14-month-old child, and a Bethany man was sentenced to jail in connection with an automobile crash that left a local woman with severe injuries.
Rachel Camilletti, 36, of Follansbee, received the sentence of probation after pleading guilty to child neglect resulting in death.
According to police reports, she and Zachary Thomas Henderson, 36, of Follansbee, left fentanyl where the child could reach and ingest it, resulting in his death.
Brooke County Prosecutor Joseph Barki said the state medical examiner's office found enough of the drug in the child's stomach to kill a horse.
Barki had sought a jail sentence for Camilletti for the crime, for which penalties under state law include three to 15 years in jail, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 or both.
The sentence from 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ronald Wilson came following testimony presented by Camilletti's attorney, Sean Norman, by multiple individuals that Camilletti has undergone treatment for drug addiction and has been clean and sober for more than a year.
Contacted for comment regarding the sentence, Wilson stated he and Barki, who has been elected to fill Wilson's seat in January, are bound by the state's judicial code of conduct, which prohibits them from commenting to media on pending cases before any court.
"The defendant in this case has been placed on probation for two years. The case will remain pending until successfully completed," he said.
Henderson has indicated his desire to stand trial for the charge of child neglect resulting in death filed against him, and it is pending in circuit court.
Also on Tuesday, Daniel C. Walden, 39, of Bethany, was ordered by Wilson to serve two to 10 years in jail and pay a $1,000 fine after Walden pleaded guilty to driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of an accident with vehicle damage.
Barki said on April 24, 2022, Walden sideswiped a vehicle occupied by a woman and her two children, then drove away and while traveling state Route 67, swerved into the opposing lane, striking a vehicle head-on.
He said the incident resulted in severe injuries to the driver of the third vehicle, including a crushed pelvis and detached aorta, and it's a miracle she survived though she continues to deal with the injuries.
Prior to the sentencing, the court heard testimony from Walden's mother, who said he has worked to overcome drug addiction and has a strong support system and children and others who depend on him.
The adult daughter of the victim also testified, saying her mother had been active and independent but now relies on a cane or walker and others' help.
With tears in his eyes, Walden apologized for his actions.
"I don't have words that could possibly describe the amount of guilt I go through every day," he said.
Robert McCoid, his attorney, sought a lighter sentence for Walden, noting the penalty for driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury is the same as that for malicious assault.
He said while the charge of malicious assault involves deliberate intent, Walden's charge centers around an accident.
Barki told the court he disagreed.
"I don't see this as a simple act of negligence by the defendant," he said, adding Walden made a decision to drive while under the influence of a controlled substance.
"This is a prime example of why driving drunk or high is such a serious crime because every time this can happen," said Barki.
Also appearing before the court was Carl B. Hicks, 22, of Sandusky, Ohio, who pleaded guilty to fleeing with reckless disregard for others and is slated to return later this year for sentencing.
Assistant Brooke County Prosecutor David F. Cross said Hicks had robbed a Weirton business on Sept. 19 when he was pursued by Weirton Police across the Veterans Memorial Bridge to Steubenville.
He said in addition to traveling at a high speed, Hicks weaved in and out of lanes during the pursuit.