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Former Janesville residents in court on charges of child abuse

By TED SULLIVAN   Friday, March 6, 2009 - 2:54 p.m.
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JANESVILLE -- A former Janesville woman accused of participating in the beating of a 3-year-old girl stood mute in Rock County Court this afternoon when asked to enter a plea to charges of child abuse.

Stephanie A. Witt, 21, of 865 Holiday Drive, Beloit, waived her right to a preliminary hearing on felony charges of reckless child abuse and intentional child abuse.

The court entered a not guilty plea for Witt when she was arraigned.

Co-defendant Norbert Cruz Cantu III, 28, of 1712 White Ave., Beloit, also appeared in Rock County Court this afternoon for a preliminary hearing on a felony charge of intentional child abuse. The hearing was continued until March 24.

According to the criminal complaint:

Witt and Cantu had been living together at 922 Suffolk Drive, Apt. A, Janesville, when the abuse began.

Witt told investigators she was frustrated with the girl on Saturday, Dec. 31, and pushed her in the back, causing her to fall.

The girl began to cry.

Witt, Cantu and the girl then drove to the Janesville Mall. The girl moaned and cried in the car.

The three then drove to Woodman's Food Market, and the girl continued to whine.

Witt told investigators she then hit the girl twice in the face while they were in the car. The girl continued crying.

Witt told investigators she warned the girl to stop or Cantu would hit her next. The girl did not stop, and Cantu admitted he struck her in the face.

At Woodman's, Cantu noticed the girl's eyes were "not right."

Emergency responders arrived at Woodman's. The girl had bruises on her head and body. She was unconscious.

The girl was flown to UW Children's Hospital in Madison.

She had brain surgery to relieve bleeding in her head.

The surgeon told investigators the girl might not regain her full brain function.

Witt and Cantu were arrested Friday, Jan. 2, at the Janesville Police Department.

They remain free on signature bonds.




reader COMMENTS
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(46)
Mikes26
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:40 a.m.
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Im Alainas father and what people dont know is that Steaphanie went to the police and told them that she didnt cause Alainas Injuries. She had lied abuot what happened I know it dont make anything right at all but if she didnt cause this I wanted to know who did.I then spoke with doctors and the confirmed that theres noway in hell a push into the bed did this. My daughters injurie was caused by blunt force it compared from falling from a 2 story building the doctore told me. I then asked my daughter what had happened to her and without saying names or any of my thoughts. Alaina said Norbert kicked her in the head. Since then more things have came out the more comfortabale Alaina has got. She tried to smother who shes living with and when asked where she learned that she said Norbert did that to her. Then about a week later she hit who shes living with and when asked about it she said norbert did that to her. So theres alot of stuff that isnt being took seriously. They had charged them before Alaina woke up at the Hospital so it seems what she says happened nobody cares about. I also know shes only 3 but if you have kids you know them and know if what they say is true or not. Im not defending anyone I just see Norbert getting a lesser charge witch will result in a plea deal then he just gets a slap on the wirst. Also I wouldnt post anything without knowing my facts. So please see im just trying to make sure the sentences do my little girl justice. Thanks for reading

miscellaneous
Mar 13, 2009 at 12:21 a.m.
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The girl IS ok and staying with RESPONSIBLE family members..cantu isnt the father,just her toy for the minute. the future baby is arranged to go to a good family(adoption), thank god she wont have custody of it!!If anyone wants clarification

gmaof3
Mar 7, 2009 at 7:29 p.m.
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I read Cantu DOES have another child (maybe more than one???) Also, I thought he was just "the boyfriend" - not the little girl's actual father.

Due process is at work here. They will have their day in court, I'm sure they will do time, the little girl will become a ward of the state and Witt's unborn child will be taken at birth and put in the system.

Unfortunately, this is the best we can hope for.

worldlove
Mar 7, 2009 at 3:17 p.m.
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janesvillean: "these people aren't a danger to public"? if you can do what they did to your own child what are they capable of doing to a complete stranger? "not easily disputed" the mother admitted to everything and said what happened yet she still pleads not guilty? the other thing that makes no sense is that if someone was to give an adult brain damage the way they did this 3 year old they'd be in MORE trouble then these losers and that horrible excuse for a human mother was crying because she's selfish and is getting in trouble not because what she did to this girl, and I don't know where jfamof6 found this out but if that mom has that girl the system is even more screwed then I know it to be.

jfamof6
Mar 7, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
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I tried to change the comment it was about a month ago my sister and I saw them at the mall!!!!

Perfect10
Mar 7, 2009 at 1:38 p.m.
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THIS IS CRAZY! YEA SHES CRYING! SHE GOT CAUGHT. Well, what is she going do next time? Crying isnt going to help! I cant even believe these disgrace-to-the-human population people! How can you look at your hurt child WHICH YOU HURT and hit them for crying. YOU SICK S.O.B's. I feel rage reading this. A 3 yr old? COME ON PEOPLE! THESE PARENTS SHOULD BE LOCKED UP FOR LIFE! How does our system see them as not dangerous? I cry every time i read this. If they beat their first child, they shouldnt even have the right to keep their baby. The baby should be adopted by a LOVING NON ABUSIVE family. You know, there is alot of people out there who cant have their own kids and would LOVE to be able to. People like these horrible parents should be ashamed. I cant believe this. That poor little girl did NOT deserve this. I HOPE SHE IS OK!!!! And i hope the parents rot!!

blondieb74
Mar 7, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
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Of course she looks like she has been crying, she got caught. Noone can make you beat your child!!!! NOOONE!!! There is no excuse!! What do we as loving parents do for our children??? ANYTHING, right??? So if he were putting her in any position to hurt her child for him there would be something she could do about it!! I have not one ounce of remorse for this girl she needs to be punished to the fullest extent. Too bad she can't be locked in a room with a video from the time the ambulance picked up that little girl, through the surgery to watch over and over for days at a time!! With commentary through the whole thing stating YOU DID THIS!!

latinmami2
Mar 7, 2009 at 11:24 a.m.
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looking at stephanie's picture she has a look of someone who knows they did wrong but did it because that is what he wanted her to do, Cantu just has an i don't give a %^&( look on his face, she at least looks like she has been crying that at least shows a little remorse, and don't take that as i think she should be excused from this because i don't i hope she stays in prison for life and god forbid for the other baby that they let her keep them. Cantu i sure hope he does not have any children of his own

latinmami2
Mar 7, 2009 at 11:21 a.m.
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i would really like to know what the parents of Witt think of what happened to their grandchild, i have not seen any mention of any other family members getting involved with the little girl,is anyone even at the hospital with her? And what do Cantu's parents think of him that he harmed this child as, I wonder and actually hope someone who knows these two are reading these posts and will relay what the community thinks of them and they are actually better of to stay in their home and never show their faces in public, i also wish they would have to wear a big sign that says i beat my child so that way they can get handed out and have to hear what everyone thinks of them.

latinmami2
Mar 7, 2009 at 10:32 a.m.
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Signature bonds are appropriate. These people are not a danger to the public.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
HOW IN THE WORLD IS THIS APPROPRIATE AND HOW ARE THEY NOT A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC, THEY SHOULD BE LET WALK FREE SO THE NEXT CHILD THAT CRIES TO MUCH GETS PUNCHED AND PUT IN THE HOSPITAL. I AM SORRY BUT THAT JUST MAKES ME SICK TO THINK SOMEONE THINKS THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT A DANGER TO SOCIETY. THEY ARE THE LOSEST FORM AND SCUM IN MY OPINION AND YES I AM AWARE I TYPED IN CAPS AND IT IS CONSIDERED AS YELLING AND YOU CAN TAKE IT THAT WAY AS WELL BECAUSE I AM ANGRY ABOUT THIS AND ANGRY A DEFENSLESS CHILD WAS HURT FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN TWO PEOPLE WHO ARE PURE EVIL

latinmami2
Mar 7, 2009 at 10:28 a.m.
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i said yesterday that i did not want to come to this article anymore, but i had too. Last night my husband and I built our children ages 3 and 15 months a little kitchen set (which took two hours, dang toy makers) when my son woke up this morning and seen he had a surprise waiting for him for no other reason than we love him and love to make him smile which he did and when he did i right away thought of this little child and what her parents did to her. the only thing i want to do as a parent is make my children smile, make them happy and when they are sick and if they get hurt i do everything in my power to make it all better, i could never ever even think about being the one to inflict pain on them, and i just do not in any way understand why they did this to this little girl and i really wish they would come on here and tell us all exactly why they thought they could do this to her and they thought it was not going to cause problems and why when their child was calling out for help did they not help her. i wish someone if not them could answer this because it makes me sick to my stomach, i would very much like to be at their sentencing hearing to watch and to make sure justice is done because this is something that is happening to often these days

janesvillean
Mar 7, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.
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Signature bonds are appropriate. These people are not a danger to the public.
.
And plea agreements are the way 97% of criminal cases are resolved in the United States justice system. They are particularly common when the evidence is not easily disputed. No defense attorney worth the money would take a case like this to trial. Since the defendants are not rich it is unlikely they would find an attorney who would.

bigsmurf
Mar 7, 2009 at 9:54 a.m.
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Mr. Norbert can come hit me in the face! im 300lbs and i dont think he would concious like his little girl. pathetic LOSER!

mickie
Mar 7, 2009 at 7:56 a.m.
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I would like to know how this little girl is doing?? Hopefully she has pulled through without any sort of permanent brain damage.

mgz
Mar 7, 2009 at 7:52 a.m.
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Like A LOT of people have said... This just makes me sick!! It just proves these people are just a couple of heartless, worthless, P.O.S., whimps!! Bet they feel real tough beating a helpless child 10 times smaller then them!! Its not right to beat ANYONE but they should pick on someone their OWN size!!!! And for them to be walking free... I am surprised someone their own size has not done it already!! What comes around goes around...and I hope they get theirs 100 times worse then what that poor little girl got!! She NEVER deserved this!! NOW THEY DO!!!!!

stomskid
Mar 7, 2009 at 4:27 a.m.
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maybe i should go back and see what her picture looks like so i can watch out for her in the mall i work there....and tell her how i really feel....Maybe if she hears from enough ppl she will think twice about beating another child ever again

blondieb74
Mar 7, 2009 at 1:30 a.m.
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It is just sick that these two people are walking the streets!!! What is wrong with our system!!! They should be in jail suffering from beginning to end just like this poor little girl is going to!!!! Don't understand where our system get there logic. For what reason should either of them be free?? Have a friend who broke a handmade wooden gate that was worth about 10.00 and sat in jail for two weeks! I learned 6 years ago not to trust our system after my sister was murdered and they drug it out for almost 2 years to the point it was not fresh to anyone(except family and friends) And then with all the evidence ever needed told us they were taking a plea of 2nd degree. I asked the D.A what the difference was between my sister and that teacher from Craig that was killed (it was in the same time frame and her husband got life without possibility) He said to my family...that murder was more brutal she was hit many times and my sister was killed by the first blow!!! What the hell our they showing our children growing up in this society!!! Give them somebody to trust, this little girl was failed by her parents and now the system!!!

doc0430
Mar 6, 2009 at 10:49 p.m.
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The Court System is sooooooo screwed up in Rock County that it makes me want to puke! These 2 should be thrown away and lose the key..... Let them be subjected to whatever happens in prison, most child beaters are treated extreamly bad in prison, TOO BAD SO SAD! Should've thought about that before you did this sick disgusting crime! On A side note the Defense Attorney should be ashamed of himself for even trying to get these two any less than the Maximum, with any luck somebody who knows these two will read this story and teach them A leason while they remain free (thats really screwed up) since the Court System will probably fail us again! People are locked up for lesser crimes than this yet these two Bouk Yaaks (see The Sopranos for meaning) remain free!!! UGH!!!!!

Chezwick
Mar 6, 2009 at 10 p.m.
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These losers should NOT be out on a signature bond. Our court system is pathetic! Beat the hell out of a child and walk the streets again. What scumbags!

carlitosway
Mar 6, 2009 at 8:07 p.m.
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*soon

carlitosway
Mar 6, 2009 at 8:05 p.m.
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jfamo It couldn't have been to soo as she was in hospital for a while as to 2 surgeries that she required . and they both need the max allow for doing this to an innocent defenseless child. IMO I think the punishment should fit the crime and the 2 of them have this done to them.and a lengthy sentence. My concern is they will get a plea agreement like the rest of the subhuman people have gotten in simular cases in our court system. And my prayers they little wee one heals to a normal life with someone other then these 2 animals.

latinmami2
Mar 6, 2009 at 6:55 p.m.
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this is the last time come onto this article and post because i just cry everytime i read it. this mother this horrible horrible mother i can not even understand how she could do this to her own child. i don't understand why she is out on the streets and not locked up. they lock father's up who do not pay their child support in a heart beat they do not get to walk free, but here is this woman who beat her child and then ignored her cries of help and she is out to make another child to destroy. and i am sorry any person who dare come on this forum and stand up for this lady is as evil as she is.

latinmami2
Mar 6, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
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i agree with the child support part. my mom was a good parent and my brother was a rebelious teenager got into trouble and had to stay in a group home you better believe the state made my mom give the group home child support and took her tax refund. if they can do that to people who are being a good parent they need to make the people who are not pay as well as be in prison. this lady not only beat her child also ignored her childs cries for help. as a parent if my children are sick or hurt i will do anything in my power to take that pain and sickness aware. people who can harm children especially their own part of them are not human because no human could do that

latinmami2
Mar 6, 2009 at 4:54 p.m.
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matthew i can have a sense of humor and still be a decent human being and great mother. what this girl did and allowed to happen is unforgiveable and when she does have another baby they should take it away from her. after all she has had her chance as a parent and did not do right by the child she made. now matthew if you go back to the other article lighten up a little okay.

jfamof6
Mar 6, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.
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she is pregnant already and was at the mall shopping with the little girl not long after she was arrested for beating her!!!!

jfamof6
Mar 6, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.
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she is pregnant already and was at the mall shopping with the little girl a month after it happend!!!!!

matthew516
Mar 6, 2009 at 4:34 p.m.
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latinmami...YOU DO HAVE A CONSCIENCE!

Donegeal
Mar 6, 2009 at 4:16 p.m.
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Shot? No. I do, however, support taking them both out of the gene pool. Further, it would be nice to see these two pay child support to who ever takes this child in as foster parents or adopts her.

haaseman27
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.
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Sterilize them? Are you serious? These two should be taken out back and you know what.

latinmami2
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.
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yeah i don't think you need a license to have a child that would be another thing you have to pay even more taxes on, and the main thing is as a parent you know better than to abuse your child and any person who can look their own child in the face with that child looking back at you as the person they trust most in the world and they can harm the child that person needs to be locked up forever. children are so defenseless against predators. it breaks my heart

sannio
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:48 p.m.
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For those who wonder what I mean, below is a link to a document that tells the world who we are, and why we are here:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charter...

sannio
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:44 p.m.
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hannah - Needing a license to have children is saying someone, or some group owns you. Nobody owns you, and it's the reason this country is here to begin with. We are all kings of our own castles in the USA.

beeferer
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:38 p.m.
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Sterilize them!

stomskid
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:31 p.m.
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I bet with in 2 yrs this nasty chick will be preggs again doing the same thing to a new baby...People like this should have to be subjected to a full hysterectomy so they could never reproduce AGAIN....Maybe then she will realize how precious life is.One day when she grows up and meets the right guy and cant have kids anymore and has to explain to him why then she can feel the pain that this poor baby suffered but it will not be the same pain and suffering she caused.....sorry for the rambling but it makes me sick to my stomach...

pug_lvr2009
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
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Why are these two still free on bond? And why did she plead not guilty? People like these two make me sick.

jewels45
Mar 6, 2009 at 3:02 p.m.
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And they are still free on Bond?

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