Father pleads guilty to endangering infant s life

9/16/2008

For the first two months of David Rangle s life, his body slowly deteriorated as a result of lack of nourishment.

Yesterday, the infant s father, Gilbert Rangle, 46, pleaded guilty in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to felony child endangering for his part in what eventually led to the young boy s hospitalization.

You had a duty to protect this little guy and you didn t, Judge Ruth Ann Franks said.

Yes.

Rangle, of 661 Stebbins St., and the baby s mother, Rosemary Spade, 34, of 768 Redwood Ave., were arrested in June on charges of child endangering. Ms. Spade will return to court Thursday for a competency hearing.

Authorities said Lucas County Children Services was called to the home on Stebbins on Jan. 30 by a relative who saw poor conditions in the home, including lice on the children, and believed the infant to be sick.

Responding case workers documented the scene and instructed Rangle to take the infant to a local emergency room for immediate care. The couple s other five children were removed from the home and placed in the care of relatives.

Rangle said the baby, who was born Dec. 6, 2007, had trouble eating because of sores in his mouth. He said he recognized that the infant was losing weight, but relied on the baby s mother to ensure he was cared for.

County Assistant Prosecutor Jevne Meader said yesterday that the boy was 8 pounds when he was born and only 6.39 pounds when brought to the emergency room nearly two months later.

He said Rangle had told case workers that he relied on Ms. Spade to care for the child, but also said he had concerns about her mental health.

As part of the plea agreement, Rangle agreed to testify in the trial against Ms. Spade. In exchange, the state would recommend a nonbinding sentence of community control.

The conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Rangle will be sentenced Oct. 9.