A lady from Delaware County who operated an in-home childcare business and entered a guilty plea to several charges of child abuse will spend more than 40 years behind bars.
Rhonda Coomes, 55, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of harming children, including a 10-month-old infant, while operating her own daycare center out of her Randor home. She was given the maximum penalty of 42 years in prison, according to court records.
Three counts of kidnapping were dropped as part of the plea deal, and the sentence included three years in jail for each charge.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office claims that between January 2021 and September 2023, anonymous allegations regarding possible child abuse prompted the start of the Coomes investigation. In January 2024, Coomes was taken into custody and charged.
Video footage shows that Coomes smacked a 10-month-old daughter in the face six times with a hard plastic diaper wipe container and several times with her palm, injuring her. Court documents state that the toddler had a black eye.
Coomes was taken into custody and charged with one count of kidnapping on January 26. The sheriff’s office at the time stated that the allegation was merely a placeholder and that she would probably face felony charges for physically abusing over six separate children.
Coomes was accused of assaulting a kid after tossing it onto its back in a playpen, according to further accusations. The sheriff’s office claims that on the same day, Coomes mistreated a 3-year-old for not eating fast enough.
Coomes received a $500,000 bond after being charged with 17 counts in April. In May, Coomes entered a not guilty plea due to insanity.
The insanity plea was dismissed by Coomes’ lawyers after a court determined she was competent during a scheduled competency hearing in August 2024.
She entered a guilty plea in December to 14 counts of endangering the welfare of children, each of which involved a distinct child.
Please contact our local Department of Job and Family Services at 740-833-2300 or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 if you believe someone you know is being abused.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.