SANDPOINT — A woman who pleaded guilty to causing harm to a child has been sentenced to serve 10 years in prison for incidents occurring in early 2025.  

Taleea R. Martin, 28, was sentenced to two years determinate and eight years indeterminate for one felony count of injury to a child. As part of a plea agreement, additional felony charges of aggravated battery and infliction of great bodily harm were dismissed. 

The sentence was handed down by District Judge Lamont Berecz in front of 20 spectators and family members of Martin.  

During the one-hour hearing, it was made clear that the charge against Martin wasn’t for the physical abuse of the child, but for permitting the continuance of abuse by her then-boyfriend, Jordan Gabor, who is facing six felonies for the alleged abuse.  

While no victim impact statements were given, Martin’s father gave a testimony to the character of his daughter, sharing that she had never been in trouble or had issues with the law. He further acknowledged her ability to provide daily needs for her children. 

“She was trying to become a nurse and help people with anything she could. She did everything she could to protect them,” said the father.  

In opening sentiments, Prosecutor Louis Marshall mitigated why Martin wasn’t the perpetrator in the case. Looking at the pre-sentencing investigation’s interview with doctors, it was made “certain that Gabor is the perpetrator and not Martin.”  

According to Marshall, the morning of the abuse that led the victim to be hospitalized, Martin rushed the child to Kootenai Medical Center, understanding that she could be facing trouble in doing so.  

He further acknowledged Martin’s cooperation with law enforcement and the grand jury that indicted Gabor — she continues to work with prosecutors to testify against him at his Feb. 17 jury trial.   

“Looking at life until spring, there were some neglect issues, but a pediatrician routinely looked at them and could see no signs of abuse, so it’s evident that she didn’t do it,” said Marshall talking about Martin and the victim’s life before Gabor.   

On the flip side, Marshall said that the felonies were a case of torture as the child endured untreated fractures, pain and an infected head wound, not including genital injuries in April that almost killed the child and led to the pair's arrest.  

Marshall paused during his speech to compose himself, recalling the tremendous number of injuries the child had endured. 

While naming Martin as a victim, Marshall said that she should have gotten herself, and the child, away from Gabor during the several weeks of abuse. 

Defense attorney Jay Northam shared similar sentiments with Marshall, acknowledging that Gabor was the abuser in the case and that Martin had faced abuse herself, recalling an instance where he held a gun to her head and threatened her family.  

“I don’t think she knew the extent of the abuse ... she’s terrified of him,” said Northam. “I don’t think she will ever put herself or her children in that position again.”  

He further noted Martin’s intent to terminate rights with her children, in addition to complying with any mental health treatments. 

Before Berecz made his decision, Martin apologized to the court through tears.  

“I feel horrible. I wanted to get out, and he took my keys and put a gun to my head. I’m seeing a counselor, I’m trying to do my best for them (children), I won’t be around them,” said Martin. “I’m truly sorry, I wanted to get out sooner. I’m so sorry, I just didn’t know how.” 

In closing sentiments, Berecz noted how awful it was to subject the victim to horrible pain and abuse.  

“It’s rare to see Marshall get choked up in court; your attorney was struggling as well, and I’m trying not to. This is unlike anything I’ve read before,” said Berecz. “I’ve seen a lot of horrific things. This is the outer edge of the worst I’ve seen, and clearly what the officers have seen. It’s almost indescribable, he (victim) would have died.”  

Berecz recalled an interview with staff at a hotel where Gabor and Martin stayed at three weeks before their arrests. Staff and guests remembered Gabor for his outbursts at a housekeeper and the screaming toddler in the hallway that was seen with an overflowing, soiled diaper. One guest shared that they were lying in bed that night with an ugly feeling about the couple.  

“You had to know he’s abusive,” Berecz told Martin.  

Before handing down the 10-year sentence, Berecz said that Martin had only met Gabor four months before the incident, stating he was uncertain that Martin wouldn’t meet another “bad character.”  

He also stated that the mitigating factors presented by Marshall and Northam reigned true, acknowledging that Martin took the child to the hospital knowing that she would be in trouble.  

“If I didn’t know that I’d send you to prison for years and years and years,” said Berecz.  

The main alleged perpetrator, Gabor, is slated to appear in court Feb. 17 for trial on the abuse. He is facing felony charges of injury to child, two charges of lewd conduct with a minor, first-degree kidnapping, battery and second-degree kidnapping. 

  Jordan Gabor