Prison sentence ordered for child care neglect conviction

A Pulaski area woman has been sentenced to spend nine years in prison, followed by 18 years of extended supervision, in connection with harm that befell children at her unlicensed home child-care service.

Nicole M. Brewer, 37, pleaded no contest and was convicted Feb. 26 to two counts of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm, one count of child neglect causing bodily harm, and one count of child neglect causing emotional damage, in connection with incidents that occurred from 2018 to 2020. Four other counts were dismissed but read into the record.

Judge James A. Morrison on May 11 issued separate sentences for each of the charges and ruled that they be served consecutively.

The case came to light Feb. 14, 2020, after hospital officials alerted authorities that a 12-week-old boy was treated for a broken arm believed to have been sustained while Brewer was caring for him and other children at her home in the town of Chase.

Brewer denied knowing what caused the boy’s fractured arm but admitted she never contacted the parents after she noticed his arm was swollen, the criminal complaint said.

Oconto County Sheriff’s Department and Human Services investigators looking into the infant’s injury uncovered additional incidents involving children who were hurt at Brewer’s home.

Brewer represented herself as licensed and certified to provide child care for up to six children at a time, but had no such license, the complaint said, and parents told investigators she had as many as 15-20 children on the property during the summer months.

Morrison ruled that Brewer may have no contact with any child under age 18 who is not a blood relative during her time in prison and under extended supervision.

She must undergo a psychological evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary by the Department of Corrections and follow through with recommended treatment and counseling; take all medication as prescribed by a physician and approved by her agent; and maintain absolute sobriety, with no possession or consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia.

Morrison ordered that Brewer pay $3,492.89 in restitution to victims plus an additional $1,000 in court costs and fees, all of which was taken from the $20,000 in bail she posted after she was charged in March 2020.