Cattle prod suspect takes plea

SANDUSKY — The man who allegedly used a cattle prod on his children as a form of punishment pleaded guilty to two felonies earlier this week. Robert M. Bores, 35, of the 11300 block of Ohio 113 E., Berlin Heights, on Monday pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence, both of which are third-degree felonies. He was accused of using a cattle prod on his children. A cattle prod is a handheld device used to guide and move livestock by delivering a mild, high-voltage, low-current electric shock. It is not intended for use on humans. Erie County Sheriff's Office detectives received a report from children's services on March 11, 2024, about the alleged abuse, according to Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth. Children services workers had received a complaint from a mandatory reporter. Mandatory reporters are people in certain jobs who are required to report suspected abuse under state law. Detectives launched an investigation and spoke with a woman from Bores' household on March 12, 2024. After speaking with her, it was determined Bores would be charged, according to Sigsworth. Bores was indicted in May 2024 with three counts each of child endangering and domestic violence, all of which are third-degree felonies. "From the info we have at this point, it's just a terrible situation to think of what these kids have been put through," Sigsworth said. "It's unimaginable to think kids would be subject to use of a cattle prod for any alleged purpose." Plea deals He rejected a plea deal earlier this year that would have seen him plead guilty to three of the charges, one for each victim and receive a three-year sentence. Erie County assistant prosecutor Paulette Lilly told Bores that plea bargain was available until the end of that day. He didn't change his mind. Lilly said it was her policy to take matters to trial if final plea deals are rejected. After consultation with the victims, who did not want a trial, Lilly offered the deal that Bores accepted on Monday. He faces up to six years in prison if he receives the maximum sentence and is told to serve them consecutively. Bores' attorney, Jonathan McGookey, asked Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Binette to modify his client's bond conditions. Ever since his release from jail, Bores has had to wear an electronic ankle monitor, and he has been ordered to have no contact with his children. McGookey described the kids as potential witnesses at trial and since there would be no trial, they would no longer be witnesses. Lilly countered that the reason there was a no-contact order was that the children were crime victims. She opposed both modifications. Binette did not rule on them immediately, citing the fact that the case has only been in his court for less than two months. The case was previously assigned to Judge Beverly McGookey, who has no relation to Jonathan. After statements from child protective services and a person related to the victims, Bores stated, "I love my children. I really do," as he teared up. While Binette did not rule on McGookey's motions, he did tell Bores that "it's not looking good." On Tuesday, Binette denied the motion, according to court records. Bores is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 11.