On June 24, 2010, Tulare County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Montejano imposed a prison sentence of four years in prison on 33-year-old Alice Stater of Visalia for child abuse causing great bodily injury on three separate victims.

The defendant had custody of the children, two age four and one age five, for approximately a year. During that time, she restricted the children’s diet to the point they required immediate hospitalization when they were taken from her care. An examination of the children revealed a number of medical problems stemming from long-term dehydration and malnutrition. Each child suffered a substantial weight loss as well.

The defendant pled no contest to child abuse likely to cause great bodily injury and two special allegations for great bodily injury cause to a child under the age of five on May 7, 2010. As a result of the plea, the defendant is now convicted of a strike offense and will be required to serve 85% of that sentence before being eligible for parole. Her parole can last up to three years. The defendant was also ordered to pay an $800 restitution fine and to provide DNA samples under Penal Code section 296. The defendant was ordered to have no further contact with the three victims.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Bethany M. Gilliland and investigated by Detective Osvaldo Dominguez of Visalia Police Department, as well as Investigator Gregg White and Investigator Lindy Gligorijevic of the District Attorney’s Office.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Shani D. Jenkins, (559) 733-6411