T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Devan Noel Redman is given the maximum sentence of eight years for child endangerment in an abuse case involving a 4-year-old girl.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A second woman was sentenced Monday for what Belmont County Children Services termed “horrific” child abuse — acts that Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato said were “nothing short of torture” of a 4-year-old girl.

Devan Noel Redman, 26, will spend the next eight years behind bars, having pleaded guilty to second-degree felony endangering children. Misty Dawn Glasgow, 36, her co-defendant, was sentenced in mid-January by Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra to eight years as well. These were the maximum possible sentences.

The girl reportedly was left in their care at a home in Neffs by her homeless mother around Sept. 11. When the mother returned to pick up the girl about 30 days later, she took her to Belmont Community Hospital’s emergency room in Bellaire. The child reportedly had multiple old and new bruises all over her body, along with multiple burn marks.

The clerk of courts’ records give Redman’s address as 321 Hughes St., Wheeling, but she and Glasgow reportedly were living at 53940 Pike St., Neffs, during the course of the abuse. Both entered guilty pleas. A count of possession of drugs was dismissed for each.

Fregiato said nothing less than the maximum sentence was warranted in this case.

“The right of Belmont County residents to be safe transcends the right of this convicted criminal to be free,” Fregiato said.

A friend of Redman spoke on her behalf before the sentencing, saying Redman had taken her in while she was in an abusive situation and had always demonstrated positive characteristics to her.

Redman did not choose to comment.

A woman who said she was Redman’s mother objected and asked to speak. Fregiato said the attorneys in the case could call her to speak if they wished.

Fregiato the proceeded with the sentencing, reviewing the pre-sentence report. He recounted the severe bruising and burns and other injuries to the child.

“The 4-year-old victim was covered, in the majority of her body, with bruises and what appear to be burns, all in various stages of healing. The victim stated, and this is a 4-year-old victim, that Devan hurt her. Also found was a large amount of white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, and a green, leafy vegetation believed to be marijuana,” the judge said. “This court is looking at the photos right now. I will not display them for public consumption, but they are just sickening.

“This court believes that nothing less than a form of torture occurred in this case,” Fregiato continued. “She has admitted to a felony of the second degree.”

After handing down the sentence, Fregiato also asked Belmont County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan to look further into the child’s situation and the facts surrounding the case. He asked if the child’s mother was present in court and was told she was not.

“I find it kind of strange that the mother would turn her child over to third parties and not see that child for almost a month. That strikes me as extraordinarily odd. So I think the state perhaps may wish to investigate whether there’s child endangerment or anything on the mother’s part,” Fregiato said. “And also … where the hell’s the father?”

Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services Director Vince Gianangeli was visibly shaken as he recounted facts of the case afterward the hearing, saying that this was the worst case of child abuse the Belmont County Children Services unit has seen.

“It is also a case of true inspiration and resilience shown by a mere 4-year-old victim,” he said, adding that he hopes for a full recovery for the victim. He added that he hopes the child finds it in her heart to forgive. “Although many would not blame her if she does not.”

He added that the girl is currently out of the area with her mother and grandmother, who are looking for counselors for her.

“Today, Judge Fregiato gave the maximum sentence that my office could charge under the circumstances, and we are very appreciative that he did,” Belmont County Prosecutor Dan Fry said afterward, adding that the nature and severity of the crime impacted his office staff as well. “These defendants deserve the fullest extent of punishment that the law will allow.”

He also commended the investigators of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department and Children Services for their hard work.