IRA - Two Cato parents were each sentenced to 60 days in Cayuga County Jail Monday after pleading guilty last month to charges they endangered the welfare of their daughter because they allowed her to frequently skip school.
Denise Reitz, 44, and James Reitz, 40, of 9905 Bonta Bridge Road, Cato, were sentenced in Ira Town Court Monday night.
The Reitzes' attorney, Lisa Blair, said her clients had accepted responsibility for their actions. But Judge Paula Townsend said it was already too late for their daughter.
"She's supposed to be entitled to an education," Townsend said. "You disregarded her welfare. I believe that you've harmed her."
Denise Reitz began serving her sentence Monday night and James Reitz will begin serving his sentence on the weekends after she is released.
Blair had asked that if the two had to serve jail time, that they not serve simultaneously. Townsend said James Reitz would serve his time after Denise Reitz so that "the household is not left without some supervision." James Reitz will serve his time on weekends so that he is able to continue working.
Because of her age, the Reitzes' daughter was eligible at the end of last school year to drop out of school. Townsend said it seemed likely that she would not return to school.
"She's without an education," Townsend said. "She wasn't pushed. She was just let go."
The investigation into the couple started in December 2004 when the school resource officer at Cato-Meridian High School called Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason. The officer was concerned about the Reitzes' 16-year-old daughter's attendance, who had missed more than 200 days of school since September 2002.
Under state law, parents are required to make sure their child attends school.
After the sentencing, Blair asked that Denise Reitz be allowed to begin serving her sentence Tuesday morning, rather than Monday night.
"I want to say goodbye to my kids," Denise Reitz said.
But Townsend said she would begin serving the sentence Monday night.
The district attorney's office had recommended 90 days in jail for the couple. Blair was pleased the sentence was less than the county had recommended but did not agree that jail time was necessary.
"I think it's a waste of everyone's time and taxpayers' money to incarcerate them," she said. "They don't belong in jail."
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net
The Reitzes' attorney, Lisa Blair, said her clients had accepted responsibility for their actions. But Judge Paula Townsend said it was already too late for their daughter.
"She's supposed to be entitled to an education," Townsend said. "You disregarded her welfare. I believe that you've harmed her."
Denise Reitz began serving her sentence Monday night and James Reitz will begin serving his sentence on the weekends after she is released.
Blair had asked that if the two had to serve jail time, that they not serve simultaneously. Townsend said James Reitz would serve his time after Denise Reitz so that "the household is not left without some supervision." James Reitz will serve his time on weekends so that he is able to continue working.
Because of her age, the Reitzes' daughter was eligible at the end of last school year to drop out of school. Townsend said it seemed likely that she would not return to school.
"She's without an education," Townsend said. "She wasn't pushed. She was just let go."
The investigation into the couple started in December 2004 when the school resource officer at Cato-Meridian High School called Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason. The officer was concerned about the Reitzes' 16-year-old daughter's attendance, who had missed more than 200 days of school since September 2002.
Under state law, parents are required to make sure their child attends school.
After the sentencing, Blair asked that Denise Reitz be allowed to begin serving her sentence Tuesday morning, rather than Monday night.
"I want to say goodbye to my kids," Denise Reitz said.
But Townsend said she would begin serving the sentence Monday night.
The district attorney's office had recommended 90 days in jail for the couple. Blair was pleased the sentence was less than the county had recommended but did not agree that jail time was necessary.
"I think it's a waste of everyone's time and taxpayers' money to incarcerate them," she said. "They don't belong in jail."
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.