KINGMAN – An elderly Fort Mohave man who harmed his disabled daughter was released from jail Thursday following his sentencing hearing in Mohave County Superior Court. Dean Peters, 72, was sentenced to 72 days in jail and credited with having spent that many days in custody.
Peters was arrested on June 25 after an incident in the 5900 block of S. Gazelle Dr. Deputy Mohave County Attorney Amanda Claerhout said at last month’s change of plea hearing that Peters slapped his daughter when the 33-year-old who suffers from Autism and Downs Syndrome refused to exit a vehicle.
“I am sorry,” Peters said at his sentencing hearing, during which his wife also spoke.
“We all make mistakes and mistakes are to be corrected,” Mrs. Peters said, expressing concern about her husband’s declining health. “All I want is for him to be home.”
Judge Derek Carlisle said he had some reservations that the plea agreement involved less than 10 weeks jail time when a “defenseless vulnerable adult” had been abused. “I went back and forth regarding whether this plea is appropriate,” he said.
Judge Carlisle said he was willing to approve the deal, mostly because the victim suffered minor injuries. Carlisle ordered four years of probation for Peters, who pleaded guilty to vulnerable adult abuse by domestic violence.
