Tammy and Michael Bethel are to be sentenced Sept. 27 in Franklin Municipal Court. Their son tried to sell the toy to buy food for himself and four brothers. Police responded to Tammy Bethel’s home that day and found deplorable conditions. Children’s services placed the children with relatives.
David Chicarelli, Tammy Bethel’s attorney, said his client has “accepted all responsibility.”
“She wants to move forward with her children and move in the most equitable way to get them back into her care,” Chicarelli said. “… It was a very mature thing for her to do.”
Chicarelli said Tammy is allowed to see her children two hours a week, with supervision.
“The goal is to have the children back,” he said. “Reunification is basically in motion at this point. It’s hard to give a timeframe, but it’s definitely in the works.”
Chicarelli said Tammy bought new food and clothes, and cleaned the house.
“This is a really big time in her life to move forward, and I think this was the catalyst she needed,” Chicarelli said.