A Stroud woman has admitted charges of enabling physical abuse of a minor and child neglect and has been handed two, five-year deferred sentences.
Melissa Suzanne Reinhardt, 39, was formally charged April 8 in Lincoln County District Court with enabling physical abuse of a minor and child neglect.
Her husband, Vernon James Reinhardt, Jr., 43, was charged the same day with three felonies including physical abuse of a minor, lewd acts to child under 16 and domestic violence in presence of a minor.
On Nov. 30, Melissa Reinhardt appeared with her attorney Charles Thompson before District Judge Cindy Ashwood for her arraignment and she entered guilty pleas to both charges as the result of a plea bargain with prosecutors. She was advised by the judge both charges are 85 percent crimes.
Both the state and the defendant waived a presentence investigation.
Judge Ashwood found Reinhardt guilty as charged. On Count 1, enabling physical abuse of a minor, the judge deferred her sentencing for five years, gave her a $300 judicial assessment, and $100 VCA and court costs,
On Count 2, child neglect, the judge found her guilty and ordered that her punishment be the same with the sentences to run concurrent with each other. Reinhardt is also to perform 40 hours of Community Service within six months.
She is to pay 991C fees and the judge ordered her placed on supervised probation with Oklahoma Court Services. Reinhardt is to report to the Probation Office and Court Clerk’s Cost Administrator.
Vernon Reinhardt, on Dec. 3, before Special Judge Emily Mueller, waived his preliminary hearing on the charges. The judge scheduled his arraignment for 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2022.
Judge Mueller has set a $100,000 bond for him. As a stipulation, the judge ordered that he have no contact with Melissa Reinhardt or the three children.