Child abusers will go to jail

CANTON — Two women who pleaded guilty to felonies were sentenced Monday in St. Lawrence County Court and a man charged with felony driving while intoxicated pleaded innocent.

A 19-year-old former baby sitter will spend six months in jail after admitting she caused the death of a 10-month-old girl in February 2007.

Heather J. Hughes,19, Colton, was sentenced Monday to five years' probation and $25,067 in restitution. She pleaded guilty March 10 to criminally negligent homicide.

Miss Hughes, who is pregnant with twins, admitted shaking and dropping Megen E. Perham while baby-sitting for the child Feb. 1, 2007, at a home on Church Road near Crary Mills. The infant died two days later at a Syracuse hospital.

St. Lawrence County Assistant District Attorney Alexander Lesyk said the quality of the evidence in the case wasn't strong and the plea agreement was appropriate. Megen's mother, Shannon L. Perham, wasn't happy with the outcome of the case.

"She had every right to be critical; her daughter was 10 months old when she was killed," Mr. Lesyk said.

Miss Hughes could serve four months in jail with good behavior, Mr. Lesyk said.

Meanwhile, a former high school English teacher will spend four months in jail after admitting she had sex with a 15-year-old student.

Christel C. Gravlin,33, also was sentenced to 10 years' probation and will be listed on the state's sex offender list. She also will have her teaching license revoked by the state Education Department.

She pleaded guilty March 3 to third-degree rape, admitting she had sex with the boy on Nov. 25 during a brief affair. It came to light after she went to a basketball game at Lisbon Central School while intoxicated and announced the affair to nearby students and spectators.

Gravlin told sheriff's investigators she attributed her actions to depression, alcohol, prescription drugs and pressure from the victim.

Her sex offender risk assessment hearing is scheduled for June 23. A protection order was issued for the victim.

Also Monday, a Chase Mills man pleaded innocent to felony driving while intoxicated.

George E. Olmstead Jr.,50, of 5449 County Route 14, was charged with DWI while free on bail following a fatal accident in which alcohol is a suspected factor. The charge stemmed from his arrest March 28 by state police on County Route 14 in the town of Louisville. His blood alcohol content was 0.08 percent, the level considered proof of intoxication under state law.

Mr. Olmstead was free on $10,000 bail March 28. He had been charged with leaving the scene of a March 9 accident in which Matthew N. Caldwell, 12, Chase Mills, died. It took place when the boy drove a snowmobile onto Chase Mills Road from a driveway at his home and was hit by a pickup truck allegedly driven by Mr. Olmstead. He was arrested the next day after the truck was spotted at his home. He pleaded innocent to the felony charge during arraignment in Madrid Town Court.

Mr. Olmstead was sent to the St. Lawrence County jail on $50,000 bail or a $100,000 bond.