Woman sentenced to 1-2 years in prison

A Fremont woman accused of beating her foster children with a back scratcher was sentenced to up to two years in prison Monday in Dodge County District Court.

Polly Sims, 43, was sentenced to 1-2 years in prison for child abuse, a Class IIIA felony.

"Miss Sims continues to blame the children," said Deputy Dodge County Attorney Geri Gracek. "She accepts no responsibility for her actions."

She said Sims’ teenage victim suffered extensive bruising from being struck by the back scratcher.

"She had to kneel down in front of this woman to be spanked," Gracek said. "This woman was her foster parent and she became legal guardian."

Sims’ court appointed attorney, Melissa Schutt, said her client didn’t realize her strength and didn’t think she bruised the girl. She said Sims didn’t abuse the girl, but disciplined her.

"My client is not a monster," Schutt said. "She provided a lot of love to these children."

A request to allow Sims two weeks to turn herself in was denied and she was taken into custody.

Other cases heard Monday included:

* Richard Dobesh, 18, of Fremont admitted to a motion to revoke his probation for two counts of possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, Class IV felonies. He admitted to testing positive for methamphetamine during his probation. An updated pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for June 2.

* Connie Gibbs, 46, of Craig pleaded innocent to driving under the influence-fourth offense greater than .15 percent blood alcohol content, a Class III felony; assault of a peace officer, a Class IIIA felony; obstructing a peace officer, a Class I misdemeanor; and open container, an infraction. She requested a jury trial and a June 13 pretrial conference was set. Further proceeding was set for June 16.

* Melissa Schutt was appointed to represent John Jozaitis, 40, of Fremont and arraignment on a motion to revoke his probation for attempted robbery, a Class III felony, was continued until June 2. His bond was set at 10 percent of $50,000.

Jozaitis was accused of going to Miller Pharmacy and demanding hydrocodone without a prescription. He told the pharmacist he had a weapon, but none was ever found.

* Johnsie McAuley, 44, of Chicago was sentenced to five years of probation for theft by deception, a Class IV felony. She also was ordered to pay nearly $13,000 in restitution at a rate of $216.50 per month during her probation. She is accused of stealing from her employer to pay for a gambling habit.

* Troy J. Meyer, 38, of Fremont pleaded no contest to making terroristic threats, a Class IV felony, and domestic assault, a Class I misdemeanor. In exchange for his plea, charges of false imprisonment, a Class IV felony, and stalking, a Class I misdemeanor, were dismissed. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for June 30.