Martin pleads guilty to child abuse, assists in related case
CHLOE COCHRAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 3 months AGO
SANDPOINT — A Bonner County woman charged in a child abuse case has plead guilty in the case and agreed to assist the state in a related case.
Taleea R Martin, 27, was originally charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of injury to child and one count of infliction of great bodily harm.
As part of a pretrial settlement, Martin plead guilty to the injury to child charge. Also in the settlement, Martin agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, assisting in their defense against Jordan Everette Gabor. Gabor, 28, is charged with several child abuse charges stemming from the same alleged abuse. Court documents indicate that Gabor is the main perpetrator.
Martin’s pretrial settlement agreement offers open recommendations for sentencing, with the potential for Martin to serve up to 10 years in jail/and or a $50,000 fine.
When asked to explain her guilt for the child injury charge, Martin said that she “had an opportunity to leave,” indicating her past relationship with Gabor. “I had an opportunity, and I didn’t take it.”
District Court Judge Lamont Berecz reiterated to Martin the severity of the charge, explaining that the charge outlined her willful intent of subjecting the victim to the alleged abuse of her at-the-time boyfriend.
“You willfully permitted, while having custody, this to happen, or willed him to suffer and be injured?”
Martin nodded her head in response to Berecz’s remarks while wiping tears from her eyes.
In addition to entering a guilty plea, Martin’s attorney requested a bond reduction, in hope of a release or a significant bond drop. Her attorney argued that Martin was cooperating with attorneys, she acknowledged responsibility for the abuse and was scared for her safety.
However, Berecz denied the request due to the “egregious matter” of the case. Martin remains at Bonner County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
Martin is expected to appear in court Oct. 28 for a sentencing hearing.
Martin was apprehended on April 23 by Coeur d’Alene police for willfully causing or permitting the child to “unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering.”
It is alleged that Gabor was the main abuser of the case, striking the victim numerous times in addition to slamming a car door on the victim.
Further information on the case has been sealed due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.
“Documents of materials contain highly intimate facts or statements, the publication of which would be highly objectionable to a reasonable person,” reads a motion to redact submitted by the court.
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