Nov 10, 2019
[...]Samantha Hughes, 29, awaits arraignment on one count of fourth-degree child abuse, a one-year misdemeanor, after deputies found her infant in a pile of laundry at a Traverse City home, according to Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg.
Hughes was found nearby and had overdosed, Moeggenberg said. She was revived at the scene.
[...]deputies found Hughes just after 5 p.m. on Oct. 20.
Another adult in the home had called 911, Moeggenberg said.
Hughes was released from prison after serving 352 days of the 13- to 24-month sentence 13th Circuit Court Judge Thomas Power handed down after she pleaded guilty to cutting off a court-ordered tether in late 2018.
She was on probation for methamphetamine use conviction at the time, and Power set the span deliberately to keep Hughes drug-free through her pregnancy.
She filed an appeal, and her request was answered — the Michigan Court of Appeals opted on July 9 to reverse Power’s ruling and free Hughes from prison. Her case was referred to a new 13th Circuit Court judge for resentencing.
[...]
Power told his 13th Circuit Court room during that sentencing that his hope was keeping Hughes drug-free to ensure the child was born healthy.
He stands by his decision, which he said meant Hughes’ sentence lasted three months longer than it would have.
“I had to balance three months of custody versus the possibility of a lifelong disability for the child,” Power said. “For me, that wasn’t even close.”
He said last month that Hughes’ case included “recent, documented evidence of methamphetamine and cocaine use,” and that he felt she was at high risk for relapse.
[...]
Hughes was resentenced in August by Judge Kevin Elsenheimer to time served.
During the resentencing Hughes said she “would never jeopardize my children or baby due to any drugs.”
[...]
Hughes’ online records in 86th District Court include appearances for retail fraud, attempted destruction of police property, attempted assault or obstruction of a police officer, use of methamphetamine and several instances of driving without a license or without insurance.
www.record-eagle.com
