A Frankfort couple up for sentencing Friday on drug and child-endangerment charges instead saw their bails revoked and were sent to jail after a Will County judge found the husband had tested positive for cocaine and the wife gave inaccurate information about her drug history.
After telling Judge Robert P. Livas they were sorry and had suffered public embarrassment, financial loss and the breakup of their family, Benjamin Fetzer, 32, and Shannon Fetzer, 30, stood in disbelief as Livas ordered them held without bail until a sentencing hearing Nov. 13.
The two face up to 4 years in prison after each pleaded guilty in July to one count each of felony possession of cocaine and child endangerment. They were arrested in June 2006 after a carpet installer who was turned away from the home called Frankfort police to report a foul smell and a liquid seeping from under the garage door.
Police officers found the floors littered with food and human feces and discovered cocaine in the home. The Fetzers’ four children, who ranged from 11 days old to 4 years old, were removed from the home by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services and placed into foster care.
“We had to move, we had our names in the paper, in the news,” Benjamin Fetzer told Livas on Friday. “I lost my job and the kids are away from us — I don’t know how we could be punished any more.”
Shannon Fetzer told the judge she was ashamed for putting her children through the ordeal, saying she was thankful “for the opportunity to be held accountable for our lives.”
“I want to hold my family together,” she said, her voice choked with emotion.
But Livas seemed unconvinced, noting that Shannon Fetzer told authorities before Friday’s hearing that she last used cocaine in 2003 but had pleaded guilty in the current case to cocaine possession. Meanwhile, Benjamin Fetzer, the judge said, was awaiting sentencing in Livingston County for driving under the influence and possession of cannabis. Additionally, Fetzer “tells us in gut-wrenching detail about improving his life, and he walks in [to court] today testing positive for cocaine.”
“Impossible, your honor,” Benjamin Fetzer said.
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“Really?” Livas responded, holding up drug test results. “At least [Shannon Fetzer] tested negative.”
Attorneys for the couple declined to comment on the judge’s decision.
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