prinny68 Its not the fact that these people are being charged with negelect and pleaing guilty, the fact is they are only getting one year sentences. That everyone is completely outraged about. I personly am sick to my stomach that there was more eveidence to abuse that never was truly investigated. I know the facts do you really. Go back and read past news articals. No they can't prove without a reasonable doubt that this child was murdered but they can prove that there is negelect cause of death which is what they are being charged look it up under the wisconsin court system. Had medical treatment been sought the baby could have possibly lived. Had they sought medical treatment they would not be facing these charges. They already have the facts the baby supposedly bumped his head and the couple went on a drug run instead of seeking medical treatment. One year of probation for one little boys life you tell me if that sounds fair

I'm not saying I AGREE with the decision or sentence necessarily, however I'm merely stating a possible reason WHY he has probably been allowed such a lenient sentence. I am a CJ student and I used to ask all same questions here on this board, how could you sentence one person to this, but sentence someone for what I considered a more serious crime, for less time? I'm just giving general information as to how things like this happen. I'm sure the DA would've just assumed get him guilty of SOMETHING instead of leaving the trial to a jury, where he could be acquitted, and serve NO time. And yes Mrmayo, I know several p/p agents in this city alone, and I know the type of caseload I once will face, however I also know several people on p/p and know the types of contingencies they are up against, in order to be a part of the free world and not behind bars. In fact there are a few agents here in Janesville that do an exceptional job monitoring their offenders moves, and I put my trust in them! Also in regards to treatment, if they do not actively participate in treatment, and the facilitator does not feel they are owning up to their crime and learning anything from the program, they WILL be removed from the treatment group and their probation/parole can be revocated, meaning they would return to jail/prison. I am sure not EVERYONE comes out of those treatment groups, cured, however how are we curing them by just making them sit in jail/prison? I can guarantee you the treatment programs outside of the correctional institutions in this state, are MUCH better than the ones inside.

I'm not arguing the neglect aspect, as they certainly do have a pure neglect case, which is what they are pleading guilty for. It's the intent to cause harm that may/or may not be provable to charge them with a more serious offense, carrying a longer sentence. Hence why I'm sure the DA made a deal to plead them to felony neglect(knowing they have the evidence to prove that beyond a reasonable doubt), ensuring the convicted with be required to serve a sentence including incarceration and probation/parole, and a contingency of treatment. IF the DA charged them with something more serious, and it went to trial and the jury didn't convict beyond a reasonable doubt, these people would be out walking the streets with NO punishment! Now which direction would YOU choose?

prinny68, have you seen the recidivism rate in wisconsin? Pretty high. I have a friend that is a P&P officer and she tells me her caseload is unbelievable. They do their best but theres not a whole lot they can do. they can require classes, and or counseling but it doesnt mean the offender is going to take anything in. most just go because they have to.

and it seems that that scumbag Mr. Rivers has had his chance at rehabilitation and blew it off. he is past the point of deserving another chance.

results-http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/08/microwave.baby.ap/index.html

how much more evidence do they need for NEGLECT than them saying themsleves we went to get drugs first. isnt that neglect and then neglect since youre on drugs

How do you do a deal when a baby lost his life!

The main reason these plea bargains get arranged is most likely because the prosecution(DA) doesn't feel there is enough evidence to prosecute and prove beyond all reasonable doubt that there was an INTENT to cause harm. Being that this was more showing neglect, the prosecution more than not probably figured getting these individuals convicted of SOMETHING instead of taking the chance of a jury not finding them guilty and letting them completely off, would be the best way to go to ensure these individuals get the help they need. It is disheartening to see a sentence in which they will mostly spend less time in confinement than someone convicted of a petty marijuana offense however I am sure their allowance to care for children in the future WILL be mandated to being supervised or controlled. We don't know exactly what types of rules these convicts will be subject to post-incarceration, and hopefully it will be enough to rehabilitate them before they are off paper. Have faith in our probation/parole system, as they typically do a good job ensuring rehabilitation of these disturbed individuals.

the lady that put her child in the microwave gets her sentance today. I say put her in the microwave. what is wRONG WITH PEOPLE. if you dont want your child any more- take them to someplace where somebody will!!!

Just another reason that castration should be mandated... People that have a difficult time taking proper care of themselves, much less a small child should not be allowed to breed further. How many times will the courts allow him to make dumb "mistakes" with young children? Who's to say that he remembers to feed them on a daily basis, and what is he teaching them, how to light up????

One year is pathetic. And this guy just wants to move on? He and the girlfriend should get much longer sentences.

Everytime I see this story it makes me want to puke. Looking at these two scumbags definitely makes me want to puke. trying to hold it in though. What a waste of human flesh.

That sentence is such CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I recieved 9 months in county and 6 yrs probation for posession of marijuana.Wheres the justice in that?You get less time for killing a baby than possessing a controlled substance!I hope all you remember this at ELECTION time!!!!!!

Dont get me wrong,I'm not complaining about the time I got,it's just you would think killing a baby would get you more time(NOT LESS) than having a little weed.

Maybe an accident, accidents do happen. But neither one sought medical treatment to check this child out. They should have gotten longer for being irresponsible caretakers. What is wrong with these judges? I know of drug dealers that were sentenced to life. Killing a child???? Throw em back on the street to have more kids....(sarcasm)

Let me take a step back. Why the heck was a wet,slippery,one year old aloud to be standing on the edge of a tub?Oh yeah,daddy needed a fix!

I can't beleive this is even in question! These two, um... people, need A LOT of jail time for what they did!Drugs over e.r. care? Are you kidding me? This is just sick!

The girl needs to be given a harsh sentence too. She is the one who knew about the accident and went on the drug run with him. I don't think neither one of them should be allowed to care for another child. I am a parent and I always put the needs of my children before mine.

biggirl- yes an accident - BUT never took the time or priortiy to take the child to get help!!! drugs first!! that ISNT an accident- dumb or not caring yes and should be punished for it!!

mymaro-bigirl thinks the police are wrong to keep the pervs from having sex in a public park...you should see her posts on that article-unreal. That would explain her post on THIS article.

janesvillean: Point well taken. And, like you said...it is both beneficial and detrimental.

i think that then need to give him more then just a year in jail i think that he should get longer then that in jail. come on he killed his own child and wants to put the death behind him what a joke.

There's a pretty strong argument, momof5, that society is better served by required jail time and supervision, rather than risking acquittal and no punishment. The prosecutor doesn't even get to set the sentence in the event of a conviction.
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O'Leary is not unique. In the United States, nearly 95% of cases resulting in felony convictions never reach a jury. Obviously, there are beneficial as well as detrimental aspects to this system.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/...

and, btw, biggirl, the sentence comes because O'Leary is a "softy" when it comes to prosecuting. He'd rather risk a light sentence than a dismissal or acquittal on his record.

biggirl: A terrible accident? I will give you that ANY child can slip and fall in the bath tub. And, yes, if that was ALL that had happened in this scenario, I would say it was an injustice. HOWEVER...Rivers and Peabody put the child in the car--in Janesville--and drove to Beloit (knowing something was amiss) so they could buy drugs. That's the fatal flaw (no pun intended) in saying it was a terrible accident.
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So, unless they were driving "Kit" from Knigt Rider--ya know, a car who has the mind of its own--there's no way they accidentally went to a drug house instead of a clinic. And, if I remember correctly, they stopped at Super Wal-Mart also.
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I don't believe either of them meant to kill Israel. But, I also don't believe either of them meant to/tried to help him.
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You're the naive one.
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PS--Does anyone know how Israel's mom is doing? (not Peabody...I couldn't care less about her or Rivers or that they are trying to put this behind them).

are you serious biggirl? did you read the story? obviously not! the guy admitted to lettign the little boy stand on the edge of the tub and then after the baby fell and was basically unresponsive the scumbag thought his drugs were more important than the child. How in the world can you say "what if this was all an accident"? This was all a result of a piece of trash letting his baby die in favor of his daily fix.

Come on! People here act so naive. The sentence comes because there's no proof that he meant to do this, that it wasn't an accident, and that he really meant to hurt the child. Why don't you all imagine the injustice that might come if this was all a terrible accident?

April was not Israel's mom. She has another 2 other children. The youngest, born this Spring, was fathered by this man.

It's a shame about the childs death and one year is not much, had they taken him to the hospital instead of going to buy drugs the child might still alive. I'm more interested in the case worker that put the child with the father or CPS what will happen to the case worker or the Department.

danias- i believe the mother of the child is and past girlfriend or wife and i think he has another child as well. ANd remember she was pregnant when this happened and according to the other blog she had the baby in spring. wonder what treatment the NEW baby will receive? drug fixes first then care - get the priorties straight people!! :>(

please Mr. Rivers wants to plea so he can put his childs death behind him (how do you put a childs death behind you?) How is it possible. I pray he never gets the chance to ever see this new baby

Now is the girlfriend the mother of this baby?I'm just appauled that the system is just basically slapping these two on the wrist.They are responable in this baby's death why aren't they getting a max sentence for killing this child?

israel we love and miss you, you did not desirve the fate you were handed you are missed by all you were a beautiful child and you deserve a better justice

POVERTY PEOPLE ARE NOTHING IN OUR SYSTEM IN MY OPINION. ONE LESS CHILD FOR TAX PAYERS TO SUPPORT SO SAD DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE IGNORANT TO THE ACTUALITY BEHIND THIS? COME ON BORN AT NIGHT NOT LAST NIGHT..............

yes again- punishment doesnt fit the crime and yes this is a horrific crime. get your fix and take him to do so before you treat your child. WT%

O'Leary needs his head examined!!! this sentence is absurd and look at the crime itself an innocent baby is dead and a slap on the wrist is not OK.... I wonder if this happened to his grandchild or close friend would he plea this sick subhuman animal out. Give this ass another chance to abuse and kill again with the right (what a joke) to see his other BABY. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS ARE NO EXCUSE IN THE COURT SYSTEM YET HE GETS AWAY WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One year....one year is all Israel's life was worth. Sad, just plain sad.