Ashley McKee convicted and sentenced on Thursday for neglect of a dependent
/A 35-year-old Jasonville woman was in Greene Superior Court last Thursday, September 20, to change her plea to guilty of neglect of a dependent in a case that’s connected with Logan White. White was convicted and sentenced for felony child molesting earlier this year.
Ashley McKee was under investigation by Greene County Sheriff’s Detective Sergeant James O’Malley, Prosecutor’s Investigator Julie Criger and several others. O’Malley was also the lead investigator in the case against Logan White.
The investigation into allegations of child molestation by White, which took place in December 2017 and January 2018, involved McKee and her family. The incidents occurred in McKee’s home.
A criminal case was filed and a warrant was issued for McKee’s arrest in February of 2018. McKee was age 34 at the time of her arrest by Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Harvey Holt on February 27, 2018. She’s now 35. Her bond was set at $4,000 surety with ten percent allowed and she bonded out the same day after posting $400 cash.
When she appeared for her initial hearing in March, a public defender, Ellen Martin, was appointed to represent her and she was charged with neglect of a dependent – places dependent in situation that endangers the dependent, Level 6 felony.
In mid-June, a negotiated plea agreement was filed in Greene Superior Court, signed by McKee, her public defender, and Greene County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Keven McIntosh.
McKee agreed to change her plea to guilty and then pay a $100 fine plus court costs and a $100 child abuse prevention fee. She was to be sentenced to two years in the Greene County Jail or Indiana Department of Corrections. But the amount of time suspended was left to the discretion of the judge, with her jail time to be served on an alternative sentencing program if she was eligible. After she served her time, she would be on probation for whatever amount of time was suspended. If she does not commit any new crimes and successfully completes her probation with no violations, the felony may be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor.
Sentencing was first expected to take place in July, but the case has been continued more than once.
On Thursday, the hearing was held and the case concluded then closed.
McKee did plead guilty and she was sentenced to two years with one year suspended. She will be allowed to serve her time on work release as long as she remains eligible for the program.
To find other stories with more details and information about these cases, click the tags listed under this story, for ‘Ashley McKee’ or ‘Logan White.’