Suspect in abuse case gets 30 months

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky woman was sentenced to prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty in a child abuse case. Sondra Vanwhy, 21, pleaded guilty to a single count of third-degree felony endangering children in November. On Wednesday, Judge Tygh Tone sentenced Vanwhy to spend two and a half years in prison. She was also ordered to pay all court costs. Vanwhy will be subject to between one and three years of post-release control upon leaving prison. She received 15 days of credit for time served in jail. "I feel that the decision of the judge to impose a prison sentence for Miss Vanwhy was appropriate based upon the information provided to the court," said Erie County assistant prosecutor Paulette Lilly. "I believe the victim impact statement played a large part in influencing the judge's decision." "I wish the very best for this child who is now with people who love her and will care for her and help her adjust to the unfortunate long-term disabilities she may suffer as a result of the abuse committed against her," Lilly said. Her co-defendant, Devin Mims, 27, pleaded guilty in May to a single count of second-degree felony felonious assault. In exchange for his plea, the state dropped two counts of endangering children. Mims was also scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday; however, he did not show for the hearing. As such, Tone issued a bench warrant for Mims' arrest. The defense and state agreed to recommend a term of six to nine years. Six years is a definite sentence. The department of corrections will determine how much, if any, of the additional three years Mims will need to serve. The additional years are because of the Reagan Tokes Law that enhances sentences for violent first and second-degree felonies where a life term is not an option. Mims faced a maximum sentence of eight to 12 years. The abuse A Sandusky police detective joined a children's services intake investigator at Firelands Regional Medical Center on Feb. 8, 2023, for the report of a baby with suspicious injuries that could be consistent with child abuse, according to a Sandusky police report. The child purportedly had several rib fractures. She also had bilateral subdural hematomas, or blood clots from damaged blood vessels between the skull and brain. Due to her injuries, the baby was transported to a Cleveland hospital that specializes in pediatrics. Mims purportedly told the investigator that he did not know how the child got the rib fractures but admitted he was "rough" when tickling her, according to the report. Both Mims and Vanwhy said they were unaware that the child had any falls. The investigator then told them that tickling would not produce rib fractures. While speaking with the police detective, Vanwhy reportedly said they brought the child to the emergency room because she started choking while being fed, stopped breathing for about 10 seconds and went limp. After becoming conscious again, the girl started crying and would not stop. The detective asked them if there had ever been an accident where the girl had fallen. Devin reportedly admitted to accidentally dropping her while she was in a "bouncer," which turned out to be a baby rocker. They told the detective that one of them is with the child at all times, that the girl does not go to a babysitter. The Cleveland hospital's admitting doctor noted that the injuries constituted "non-accidental trauma," according to the report. The girl was noted to have a chronic feeding disorder, oral aversion, seizure-like activity, multiple rib fractures, a leg fracture, a wrist fracture and subdural hematomas. "This is one of the worst cases of child abuse I have seen," said Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver. "It was pure torture for that little baby for months," added Sandusky police Det. Carissa Cruz, who investigated the case.