Day care owner pleads guilty to leaving kids alone

A Bend woman accused of leaving children alone and unsupervised at her unlicensed home day care while she went on trips to the tanning salon and gym pleaded guilty to a dozen of the 122 charges against her Wednesday and could face up to 35 years in prison.

January Neatherlin appeared before Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alta Brady and entered the negotiated guilty pleas to 11 counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment and one count of third-degree assault, thus averting a trial that was scheduled for April.

Neatherlin, 32, was arrested last March after police found seven children younger than 5 drugged and unattended at her Little Giggles Daycare while she was at a tanning salon.

The judge said all of the counts involved minors considered vulnerable victims, endangering their health and welfare, for incidents over a period between 2013 and last year’s arrest.

Neatherlin cried as she answered the judge’s questions, such as whether the plea was being given voluntarily and if she knew the children being discussed in court.

Brady set Neatherlin’s sentencing for Friday, March 9 at 9 a.m. Prosecutors said they will recommend a 35-year prison term.

At the sentencing, parents of the children involved will be able to make statements in court, as will Neatherlin, also known as January Livsey. At least five parents were in the courtroom for Wednesday’s guilty plea.