Christian County Circuit Judge John Atkins handed down the maximum sentences to two of the defendants in the First United Methodist Church Daycare abuse case.
Judge Atkins sentenced former daycare worker Allison Simpson to a total of 20 years in prison, with former daycare worker Nina Morgan sentenced to one year in the Christian County Jail. Simpson was convicted by a Christian Circuit Court Jury in June of twelve counts of criminal abuse of a child twelve or under. The jury convicted Morgan of one count of third-degree criminal abuse of a child 12 or under. The jury could not agree on sentences, with Judge Atkins then responsible for determining the sentence in both cases.
Prior to sentencing in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning Allison Simpson’s attorney Eric Bearden asked Judge Atkins to consider the minimum sentence for his client.
click to download audioSpecial Prosecutor Blake Chambers argued for the maximum due to the seriousness of the crime and the age of victims. Judge Atkins then sentenced Simpson to the maximum prison time, with defense attorney Eric Bearden noting his plan to appeal the sentence.
Meanwhile, Nina Morgan’s defense attorney Michael Thompson asked Judge Atkins to consider probation.
click to download audioSpecial prosecutor Blake Chambers told Judge Atkins the seriousness of the crime merits one year in jail.
click to download audioJudge Atkins then sentenced Nina Morgan to one year in the Christian County Jail.
There was some discussion of an email sent to Judge Atkins about a juror that expressed concern about another member of the jury who held up the process of reaching a sentence in both cases. Judge Atkins said he had reviewed the concern and decided to move forward with sentencing.
click to download audioBoth Simpson and Morgan were remanded in the custody of the Christian County Sheriff’s Department to begin serving their sentences.
After the sentencing, Morgan’s attorney Michael Thompson issued a statement to the News Edge indicating he was not pleased with Judge Atkins’ denial of probation in his client’s case.
click to download audioThompson said Morgan’s sentence is comparable to sentences handed down for class D felonies.
click to download audioThompson said he will likely file an appeal.
Meanwhile, Simpson’s attorney Eric Bearden says he was shocked by his client receiving the maximum sentence.
click to download audioBearden noted he does plan to appeal the sentence.
click to download audioTwo other defendants in the case, former church pastor Paige Williams and former daycare director Abby Leach are scheduled to appear in court again next week.
