Dentist, wife enter into plea agreement
A plea and sentencing hearing was held Friday morning in Crawford Circuit Court at which time Judge Nathan Verkamp accepted the plea agreement filed with the court involving both Alan and Aimee Friz.
Alan Friz was originally charged with 26 counts including four Level 5 felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor after an investigation was launched in late September of 2017 when authorities received a call about an out of control child. Police found a cage with a child’s name written above it where she was allegedly kept for periods of time.
Friz’s wife Aimee was originally charged with 11 Level Five felony counts of neglect of a dependant and 11 felony counts of criminal confinement.
Last week, both parties entered pleas to two counts of neglect of a dependent as level 6 felonies with convictions entered as Class A Misdemeanors.
Each defendant was sentenced to 730 days in county jail with a jail credit of six days and 718 days suspended to probation monitored by the Crawford County Probation Department. The first 353 days will be supervised probation with the remaining time unsupervised probation for each party.
Both parties are to have no contact with the victim according to the court.
According to Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Quinn, although this plea clearly represents a lenient resolution for the defendants in light of the severity of the charges filed against them, this plea was offered with the input of the victim, her guardians, and others working closely with her.
Prosecutor Quinn said that after a long period of discussion and consultation with the victim, he felt it was vital to close this case so that the victim can move forward with her life.
“It was a difficult decision to offer this plea, difficult as a prosecutor and for the law enforcement officers who worked hard to build a solid case against the Friz’s. Nevertheless, the case ultimately is about the victim,” he said in a statement to the press. “We felt continuing the trauma she has endured while this case has been pending, and by having to testify to a jury does not serve her best interests.
“I hope the victim continues to thrive in her new environment and continues on the path of healing,” Quinn added.
See what money gets you in Dubois County. Sickening.
The couple plead guilty to the crime the prosecution could prove. As the investigation evolved, the other alleged charges could not be substantiated or proven. Early into the investigation, the victim painted the prosecutor and former sheriff into a corner. The prosecutor and sheriff responded to the press and community’s desire for information, which led to public outrage and the need for the trial to be moved to a different venue. This is what happens when social media goes unchecked.
Daryl Hensley, Jasper IN
This teen aged girl be described (not my words) as mentally retarded painted the professional procecutor into a corner? Let the molesters off and blame the victim.
C’mon, while agree in part with the s-m aspects, et al, they plead guilty solely to/for the plea deal. Plus, after 3 years, this is now suddenly in a rush to wrap up? Almost anytime there are such pro-longed delays it usually works in favor of the accused, often because of status, money and associated attorneys. It should never have been moved out of the county – local outrage is a legitimate aspect and should be considered over b-s defense tactics. Short of being allowed to result in a kangaroo court-like atmosphere, it should have been heard and tried here. Maybe an outrageous crime(s) deserves a verdict from outraged jurors…for a change.
48 counts including including 16 felonies ,sexual misconduct with a minor.i would hate to be poor .
Omg they only got probation it wouldn’t of hurt the victim if the two went to prison yeah money talks if they were poor they would of went to jail
Shouldn’t even need a trial. With all those charges on a child it Should be automatically jail time just like Trump signing the bill for a 7 year sentence for animal abuse. Our children’s lives matter and they are our future generations. God I pray this child can heal and lead a normal adult life after all she has endured.