A LOUISVILLE man “thought it was a good idea” to tattoo a 19-month-old girl on her bottom.
Police and a judge disagreed, slapping Lee M Deitrick, 20, with a three-year prison sentence, CantonRep.com said today.
Deitrick pleaded guilty in Stark County Common Pleas Court to two felony child endangering charges as part of a plea deal with county prosecutors, the site said.
He reportedly tattooed the outline of the letter “A” on the child’s buttock. The mark covered about 1.25cm.
Assistant Stark County prosecutor Katie Chawla said the site said the mother, who was a friend of Deitrick’s, left her daughter at Deitrick’s home for a few hours on November 7 to visit a friend in hospital.
A relative, Brandi Nelson, 17, held the girl across her lap, Ms Chawla said.
“I don’t know whose idea it was. It was late in the evening and apparently somebody thought it was a good idea,” Ms Chawla said.
County prosecutors maintain the tattooing caused the girl serious, permanent disfigurement and involved sharp and or prolonged pain. Deitrick had the tattoo equipment and has given tattoos to others, Chawla said.
Defence lawyer Eugene O’Byrne told the judge Deitrick watched the child often, CantonRep.com said.
“There was no malice,” he said. “More of an error in judgment.”
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