Former Youngstown teacher sentenced to 30 days for assault of special needs child

YOUNGSTOWN -
A teacher for more than 30 years will now spend 30 days behind bars.
Nearly two years after being accused of assaulting a child with special needs, former Youngstown teacher Geraldine DeWitt appeared before a judge for sentencing.
DeWitt previously pleaded guilty to an amended charge of negligent assault.
"Thirty-two years she was teaching. She gave up her passion and in her own statement 'because I don't deserve to be around children,'" said Defense Attorney Ron Yarwood.
Yarwood said the 62-year-old has a nearly spotless record and takes full responsibility for her actions.
"She is no longer a teacher, she no longer has a teacher's license. She did that even before she came in and pleaded in this court. she did it because she knew it was the right thing to do," said Yarwood.
Dewitt told the judge there's no way to put onto paper how disappointed she is in herself.
"I did voluntarily go to counseling and the first few weeks it was pointing fingers at everybody else," said DeWitt. "Then it occurred to me that the only person who did it was me."
Judge Renee DiSalvo opted to not hand down the maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, but said probation alone is not enough. She sentenced DeWitt to 30 days behind bars and two years of probation.
"This conduct alone, if this was a child without special needs would have been detrimental. But because of his situation, made him more vulnerable to this offense," said DiSalvo. "I have to consider now what does the family have to endure to get their child back in a school situation that he needs to be in."
The mother of the victim said she feels the sentence is fair.
"Her trust will be taken. like my son's was taken."
DeWitt's attorney did request the judge to postpone DeWitt reporting to jail until she can receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Judge Disalvo said she would set a report date of March 4th and consider the situation.