Autumn Baldridge, 29, Milford, made her last appearance before Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge Duane Huffer this morning.
Baldridge was sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended, for having sexual intercourse with a relative under the age of 16.
Huffer accepted Baldridge’s plea agreement to sexual misconduct with a minor, a Class C felony, as a lesser included offense of sexual misconduct with a minor, a Class B felony, on July 11. As per the plea agreement, the State of Indiana agreed to dismiss the second count of sexual misconduct with a minor, a Class B felony.
At the beginning of the sentencing hearing Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton addressed the court in regard to Baldridge’s possible sentence.
“As the court can see in this case the defendant was in a position of trust, she has a willingness to assist in continued prosecution and has accepted responsibility,” Hampton said. “With that said the state is confident that the court’s sentencing in these types of cases will be fashioned appropriately.”
Baldridge’s attorney, John Barrett, responded to the statements made by Hampton. Barrett offered his own conclusions on what the sentence should have been for his client.
“My argument today against incarceration is in general the principle is to protect people. Does the public need protected against Miss Baldridge?” Barrett said. “The purpose of jail is two fold, to protect the public and rehabilitation.”
“Given the facts and circumstances of the case, clearly there was a criminal act committed. Is it likely to be committed again?” Barrett said, “She has a limited criminal history and the pre-sentence investigation report says she is very unlikely to re-offend. Miss Baldridge has two children and we just don’t know what incarceration will accomplish.”
Barret asked the court to allow Baldridge to serve her time on probation, home detention, work release or serve the probationary portion of her sentence first.
After Barrett outlined the defense’s stance for sentencing, Baldridge briefly addressed the court.
“I want to apologize to the court for all the time I have taken up,” Baldrige said. “All of the dates are incorrect, but I never denied what happened. I want to apologize to the (victim) and his mother for betraying their trust.”
Once Baldridge was finished addressing the court, Huffer addressed Baldridge candidly.
“Miss Baldridge had sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 16,” Huffer said. “The short sentence proves it all.”
“We demand that people that are adults protect those that are younger,” Huffer said.
Huffer did not object to work release as long as Baldridge qualified and continued to be qualified. As per the plea agreement, the remaining count was dismissed.
After the sentencing Barrett gave a short comment on the sentence imposed.
“The sentence was within the range that the judge could give,” Barrett said. “Given the circumstances of the case I am pleased with the judgment.”
Baldridge has agreed to testify against her husband, Andrew Baldridge, at his Sept. 25 jury trial. Andrew Baldridge also allegedly had sexual encounters with the same 15-year-old relative at their home.
