Oceola Woman's Appeal Denied in Toddler's AbuseOceola Woman's Appeal Denied in Toddler's Abuse

6/30/14 - An appeal by an Oceola Township woman sentenced to prison for abusing her step-grandson has been denied by the Michigan Supreme Court. 37-year-old Sara Rae Walters of Oceola Township was sentenced last year to serve 10-15 years in prison following her no contest plea to first-degree child abuse. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dismissing a charge of torture involving the then-2-year-old boy. Authorities say the 3-year-old boy suffered more than 60 different injuries, including blood on the surface of his brain, while in Walters’ care. His core body temperature was also just 88 degrees when he was examined. Walters was taking the child to the hospital on October 21st of 2011 when he stopped breathing. She pulled off US-23 and called 911. Paramedics revived the child and took him to the University of Michigan Hospital, where doctors discovered the injuries. The charges against her came after a three-month investigation. In handing down the lengthy sentence, Livingston County Circuit Judge Michael Hatty exceeded state guidelines, which called for a minimum sentence of three to five years in prison. But in an order released last week, the state’s highest court denied to hear her appeal saying it was not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed. Walters remains housed at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti. She won’t be eligible for parole until 2022.