Sunriver-area woman, parents sentenced in severe abuse case; judge tells boy: ‘I’m sorry’

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- After emotional statements by a now-11-year-old boy and the Sunriver-area woman accused of severely abusing and neglecting him, a Deschutes County judge sentenced Sarah Session on Tuesday to more than 17 years in prison. Her parents also face prison and jail time.

But first, Circuit Judge Alison Emerson, who convicted Session and her parents last month after a three-week trial, told her small, full courtroom something else that was on her mind, after hearing all the awful testimony about a boy who recovered video showed was kept locked up and alone in a tarp-covered room, tied to a chair while unscious, assaulted and even forced to eat his own vomit. 

“I’m a little troubled by the fact that (the boy, who KTVZ News is not identifying) is now 11, has been interviewed multiple times.” And Emerson said as far as she could tell, she said: “At no point did anyone say ‘sorry’ to him.” 

So the judge told the boy: “I’m sorry. I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry you went through this trauma.” 

“At any point, if any of the caregivers had intervened, this would have a far different case,” Emerson said, adding that if not “for a detective finding all those videos, it would have been a very difficult case. I’m not sure anyone would have believed him.” 

Earlier, Deputy District Attorney Stacy Neil made a similar point in outlining her sentencing recommendation, pointing to “another level of cruelty” committed by Session, and noting that in calls from jail – even after the verdict – Session still showed no remorse and said, “I did nothing wrong. This isn’t fair.” 

Judge Emerson said the defendants were “lucky that the medical providers at OHSU are some of the best in the world – otherwise, the kid could be brain-damaged, or dead. So you are all quite lucky you are here only on these charges.” 

Session, 34 received a 212-month (17 1/2-year) sentence for second- and third-degree assault and several criminal mistreatment charges. Her mother, Paula Hardenburg, convicted of second-degree assault and other charges, faces nearly six years in prison, while her father, Gary Hardenburg, convicted of first- and second-degree criminal mistreatment, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with credit for time served. Both parents also were convicted of tampering with evidence.

All three face three years of post-prison supervision or supervised probation, during which they are not allowed to have any contact with the child victim, or with other minors, unless approved by a judge - and under supervision. 

The boy, who testified in person during the trial, spoke in a small but strong voice by phone at Tuesday’s sentencing. 

After his father left, the child said he was not allowed to speak with him, and that Session “called him a monster. ... You took your anger out on me by beating on me.” 

“You forced me to eat my own vomit,” he said. “You beat me, you lied to me. ... I wish I didn’t have to live with the horrible flashbacks of what you did to me at that house. I will need therapy for the rest of my life. ... Even though I have a good support system, I still carry all this with me.” 

The boy added, “I have to relive the feeling of you choking me and hitting my head against the wall. It makes me angry and scared.” 

But the boy – referred to this day as an impressive survivor – now says, “I hope to be a lawyer,” to bring justice for others facing such awful situations. He went to say that one day, his stepmother will “have to answer to Jesus and explain what you did to me.” 

Soon, Session stood and read her printed statement, saying she was “embarrassed, humiliated and deeply sorry” for what she had said and done. 

But the special ed teacher chastised by her ex-husband for her lack of remorse added, “I did not try to kill or harm (her stepson). I tried to get him the help he needed. While I did not commit all the crimes I am accused of, I am deeply sorry.” 

Session asked the judge to still be allowed to speak to her biological children, who she said “are unsafe and need support.” 

Session’s father, Gary Hardenburg, admitted that he “failed” his grandson and “should have been more observant” as to what was happening. 

Before adjourning the sentencing, Judge Emerson had one more thing to tell the boy.

"Good luck to you," she said. "I hope life treats you well."