A Lincoln County District Judge has sentenced the step-mother who was convicted of child neglect by a jury in late October.
District Judge Cindy Ashwood on Tuesday followed the recommendation of the jury and handed Amy Adkins Jones eight years in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
The judge suspended the $5,000 fine recommended by the jury with the exception of $100 and she said Jones was to receive credit for time served. She further stated that Jones is to serve 85 percent of the sentence and ordered post-imprisonment supervision of two years.
Jones was advised of her right to appeal. She ordered Jones to report to the probation office within 10 days of her release from custody with DOC and to report to the Court Clerk’s Cost Administrator within 180 days of her release.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, a victim impact statement was given, a statement was made by the defendant and arguments were heard.
On Oct 28 a jury convicted Jones in the near starvation death of her step-son, identified only as JJ, 3 ½ years ago. JJ was a student in the Meeker School District at the time.
The jury deliberated less than two hours before returning with a guilty verdict against Jones. Jury members fixed punishment at eight years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
District Judge Cindy Ashwood presided over the case.
The jury trial lasted four days. On the final day, the jury began its deliberations about 2:46 p.m. Jury members returned with the verdict at 4:32 p.m.
District Attorney Allan Grubb commented afterwards, “I want to thank the jury for their service and time listening and deciding this case with some very emotionally tough facts. We have felt all along that punishment for this crime should be in prison and the jury agreed with my office. I hope the victim finds some peace.”
Assistant DA Jeff Mixon prosecuted the case. Defense attorneys were Barney Barnett and James Hodgens.
She was originally charged with enabling child abuse by injury and child neglect. Those charges were filed July 23, 2018 in Lincoln County District Court.
Later, the enabling child abuse count was dropped.
The child neglect charge she was convicted of accused her between Jan. 1, 2017 and July 12, 2018, acting conjointly with Jimmy Lee Jones, Sr., Tyler Joe Adkins and Jonathan Luke Plank in neglect of J.L.J.J., 15 years old at the time by failing to provide adequate nurturance, food, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, appropriate education, medical or dental care for the child.
The charge against Plank was later dismissed.
Jimmy Lee Jones, Sr., who at the time was Amy’s husband, was convicted in June of child neglect and is currently serving a six-year sentence in state prison.