Another police charmer

OH: Police officer pleads guilty to using Taser on girlfriend’s toddlers

A part-time Dellroy police officer pleaded guilty Friday to allegations that he abused two of his girlfriend’s young children with a Taser gun. Kevin L. McCann, 48, of 10188 Radmoor St. NW in Lawrence Township, admitted to two counts of felonious assault and two counts of felony child endangering. The mother of the children, Christina L. Robinson, 22, of the same address, pleaded guilty to four counts of felony child endangering.

Stark County Common Pleas Judge John G. Haas set a May sentencing date for the couple. McCann and Robinson each face the prospect of significant prison time.

CHARGES OUTLINED

McCann disciplined Robinson’s 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son by using or placing a Taser on their bodies, leaving burn marks, according to court papers.

The abuse occurred on more than one occasion between June and August, and came to light after the children were taken to Akron Children’s Hospital in August with marks and bruises, according to a court filings.

The children and a younger sibling now are with a relative under the protective supervision of the Stark County Department of Job and Family Services.

With sentencing pending, Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Lori Curd declined to discuss specifics of the abuse, including whether McCann shocked the children with the Taser or used it in some other way.

The charges against Robinson were based on her failure to protect her children from the abuse, according to court papers.

DEFENDANTS PLEAD

Defense attorney April Bible told the judge that Robinson believed a jury would find her guilty of not protecting the children and didn’t want her daughter to have to testify. “I don’t want her to go through this anymore,” Robinson said.

McCann’s attorney, Patrick Cusma, said his client considered the evidentiary issues and the potential of a 32-year prison term if convicted, before deciding to plead guilty.

Cusma said McCann is a private security contractor who has worked part-time for various law-enforcement agencies, but he has never owned a stun gun or a Taser and was never trained to use one. “He’s been in and out of law enforcement for 15 years,” Cusma said. “He’s very concerned about going to prison. He’s very, very concerned.”

POLICE HISTORY

McCann still is listed as an active part-time officer with the village of Dellroy in Carroll County and has been since May 2004, said Ted Hart, a spokesman for the Ohio attorney general.

McCann also was a part-time deputy in Wayne County for less than a year before he was fired in 2000, said Capt. Charles Hardman of that sheriff’s office.

The agency terminated McCann over allegations he had inappropriate conversations with minor females but no charges were ever filed, Hardman said. [Letting him off lightly obviously taught him nothing]

Original report here



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