Ellis Goodwin
District Judge Richard Van Dyck gave a seven-year prison sentence Tuesday to a Chickasha woman who pleaded guilt to child neglect and other crimes.
Kimberly Ann Bruce pleaded guilty to child abuse, obstructing an officer and public intoxication in January.
Bruce was confronted by Chickasha Police about 6:30 p.m May 15, 2009, in the 700 block of Michigan Avenue.
According to police reports, Bruce was walking along the railroad tracks carrying her 5-month-old daughter in one arm.
Officer Jamie Guinn approached Bruce and asked her what she was doing. Guinn noticed Bruce was fidgety, anxious, nervous and sweaty with a dry mouth and foam at the corners, all signs of methamphetamine use, reports state.
The arresting officer asked if Bruce was under the influence of meth, and Bruce took off running. Her baby bobbed and shook with Bruce as she ran, according to reports.
In fear for the baby's safety, Guinn chased down Bruce and "wrestled" the baby from her arms.
Police reports stated the baby was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital because she was bleeding from the stomach and had a scratch on her head.
On Tuesday, Bruce said the injuries to her baby were from an infection due to umbilical chord problems. She said she would not do anything to hurt her children, even though court documents state that her baby was filthy and her other children are also in the custody of the Department of Human Services.
Bruce denies that each of her four children are in DHS custody.
Her baby's father, Jimmy Byron, 33 Rush Springs, is seeking custody of his daughters MyKala and Jayden Bruce, according to court documents.
Bruce was tearful as she spoke to Van Dyck. He said that her showing of remorse helped her receive a lesser sentencing.
Assistant District Attorney Lesley March suggested Bruce do five years in prison and five years on probation for the neglect charge, but Van
Dyck gave her a seven-year sentence that will be suspended for 30 months or until Bruce completes a six-month in-patient drug and
alcohol treatment program.
Bruce will serve one year in jail for obstructing an officer and 30 days for public intoxication.
