Group forms to demand justice for shaken child

Wednesday, March 2, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

A group of Henderson moms has launched a letter-writing campaign to encourage Clark County prosecutors to seek a prison sentence for Bethany Ford, the nanny facing felony child abuse charges for allegedly injuring an infant by shaking him.

The 24-year-old Ford, who looked distraught, appeared in Henderson Justice Court on Tuesday even though her preliminary hearing wasn't going forward because her public defender had a scheduling conflict.

A hearing is set for March 15 before Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr to determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

Ford is charged with two counts of felony child abuse for allegedly shaking Ryan Kuckler on Dec. 28, causing a skull fracture and acute bleeding in his brain. Ryan, who is 5 months old now, has improved, but he remains under a doctor's care and his long-term prognosis remains uncertain, according to his mother, Paula Yakubik.

The mothers' group called Justice for Ryan was spurred by concerns raised by Ryan's mother that prosecutors told her that Ford could get probation as part of a plea-bargain agreement or judge's sentence. If convicted, Ford faces a sentence that could range from probation to up to 40 years in prison.

Tom Carroll, the chief deputy district attorney handling the case, said Tuesday that his office hasn't made any plea bargain offer.

"We have not made an offer, but I am not sure they would accept anything we offered," Carroll said of Ford's defense.

Kristen Lynch, Ford's public defender, said she would seek probation for her client and hopes politics doesn't enter into the case.

"Bethany has lived an exemplary life and never done anything but good things in the community," Lynch said. "She is not a hardened criminal. She is a girl who made a mistake in a moment of frustration, and I would hate to see anybody use their political influence and treat it differently than another person who is similarly situated."

Lynch said she doesn't expect that Carroll will because he is a fair person.

Yakubik said she doesn't want Ford to get probation, so she is encouraging people to send in letters to the district attorney's office in her son's behalf.

"I just think mothers and fathers are outraged at this," Yakubik said. "Hundreds of people have contacted us about what they could do."

Ryan's father, Jason Kuckler, said he appreciates the support his family is getting. He said, however, he's not asking prosecutors for a specific punishment.

"For me, I have to forgive her," Kuckler said. "I will leave that up to the state."

Kuckler also said his son appears to have some excess fluid on his brain that may need to be drained.

"We may not know for a couple of years down the road what kind of development problems he might have," Kuckler said.

Henderson resident Jamie Greene is part of a group of 15 organizing the letter-writing campaign. Greene said she became involved because her husband, Art, works with Yakubik for a public relations firm.

Greene said she doesn't want prosecutors to offer probation or a judge to hand down a sentence of probation. Ford should serve at least 10 years in prison and not be out on probation where she could work as a nanny, Greene said.

"It seems too many times in cases of abuse against children there aren't stiff penalties," Greene said. "We want to be a voice for Ryan and send a message that the community cares. I consider it to be attempted murder, and I want something pretty harsh."

Another member of the group, Jennie Clacie, said she wants the justice system to make an example of Ford. She also said the group is pushing for regulation of nannies that would require them to be licensed and undergo training.

"What happened to Ryan is every mother's worst nightmare," Clacie said. "To learn a young person you trusted with the well-being of your baby has done such a horrible thing ties my stomach in knots. To then find out that person could receive almost no punishment infuriates me."

Lynch disputed suggestions that those accused of crimes against children get off easy. She declined to detail what happened to Ryan, except to call it "unfortunate."