Insanity plea entered in Toledo child neglect case

8/8/2008

A Toledo mother accused of neglecting her infant son to the point of his needing hospital care entered an insanity plea in Lucas County Common Pleas Court yesterday,

Rosemary Spade, 34, of 768 Redwood Ave. was charged with child endangering, as was the child's father, Gilbert Rangle.

The couple, who have four children, both remain in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $25,000 bonds.

In response to her plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, Judge Ruth Ann Franks referred Ms. Spade to the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center for an evaluation and set a Sept. 15 trial date.

Mr. Rangle, 46, of 661 Stebbins St. pleaded not guilty to the same charge on June 26 and will go to trial Aug. 25.

If convicted, each faces up to five years in prison.

Authorities said that Lucas County Children Services was called to the Stebbins Street home by a relative who saw poor conditions in the house and who believed that the couple's youngest child, now eight months old, was sick.

Responding case workers documented the scene and instructed Mr. Rangle to take the infant to a local emergency room for immediate care.

The couple's other children were removed from the home and were placed in the care of relatives.