LAKE HAVASU CITY – A veteran Mohave County Superior Court judge who has handled all types of disturbing criminal cases expressed a level of shock involving a Lake Havasu City woman who sexually abused her own newborn baby. The police report indicates Ericka Gabbard, 30, admitted involvement of the newborn in an act of self-stimulation in late May.
“It’s a chilling case. Just reading through the facts of this case, my gut tells me you need some help,” Judge Lee Jantzen said during a Nov. 15 sentencing hearing in Kingman. “Miss Gabbard has some serious mental health issues that need to be addressed.”
Prosecutor Amanda Claerhout and Phoenix defense attorney Jacie Cotterell arranged a sexual conduct with a minor conviction in a plea agreement aimed at psychiatric treatment. Judge Jantzen approved the compact focused on releasing Gabbard from custody once complications are resolved.
Jantzen ordered 25 years of what he called hyper-intensive probation that would involve extensive mental health counseling. And he ordered a 280-day jail sentence to provide time for attorneys and Gabbard’s family to solidify arrangements.
Cotterell noted the goal is to transfer Gabbard’s probation to Colorado where her father works as a federal attorney. Judge Jantzen said he learned that there’s only a “50-50″ chance that Colorado would accept the probation transfer.
“The receiving state always makes the call. You might want to pursue other options if Colorado rejects,” the Judge said.
Jantzen said it’s important that Gabbard remain in custody until probation transfer and mental health facility placement can be completed. He said Gabbard should be released from jail once all arrangements are in place.
“I’m not wanting you to be released if you’re not going to be in a mental health facility,” Jantzen said. He ordered that Gabbard comply with sex offender registration protocols and that she have no further contact or involvement with the victim.
Dave Hawkins
