An Alabama woman convicted of child abuse will serve just one year behind bars despite receiving a pair of hefty 10-year sentences — most of which will be spent under house arrest.
Samantha Woods, 23, was sentenced on June 25 after being convicted of two counts of willful child abuse stemming from a disturbing case in Scottsboro. The abuse involved two 18-month-old toddlers who were so badly mistreated they required medical attention, according to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
But despite the seriousness of the crimes, Woods will only spend 12 months in state prison before serving the remainder of her time under supervised probation and house arrest. She will also be required to complete parenting classes.
The case first came to light after a domestic dispute between Woods and her partner drew police to the home. Investigators soon discovered the shocking abuse of the two toddlers. The nature of their injuries has not been publicly disclosed, but prosecutors and the presiding judge expressed outrage over the conditions the children endured.
“Their age has been talked about like it’s a good thing, like maybe they won’t remember,” said Assistant District Attorney Krystina Jackson. “But the truth is, we have no idea the damage that’s been done.”
Circuit Judge Brent Benson, who handed down the sentence, credited a vigilant neighbor with potentially saving the children’s lives.
“Thank God for nosey neighbors,” Benson said. “I’m convinced that if they hadn’t heard the domestic incident and called police, your children wouldn’t have gotten help. Maybe one day, they’ll remember that a nosey neighbor saved their lives.”
District Attorney Jason Pierce emphasized the importance of holding abusers accountable.
“This conviction sends a clear message: the abuse of children will not be tolerated in Jackson County,” he said. “Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment free from harm.”
Woods is also prohibited from unsupervised contact with minors as part of her probation.
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