Amika Bolen

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior 1 Court Thursday, Nov. 2, on charges of battery and criminal recklessness.

Amika Joyce Bolen, 22, 920 Anchorage Road, Warsaw, was arrested in December 2016 and charged with two counts of battery.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, police officer Gordon Allen responded to a call regarding a person armed with a knife at the Anchorage Road address. When Allen arrived at the residence, he spoke with Bolen, who directed him to a bedroom in the home where the suspect, a male under the age of 14 years, was sitting.

According to the affidavit, Bolen and the youth were having a discussion about Bolen’s missing cellphone when Bolen became upset and hit the victim in the back of the head several times with a closed fist. The youth stated he then picked up a kitchen knife and held it to his side, causing Bolen to stop hitting him.

In May 2017, Bolen was arrested and charged with felony criminal recklessness for shooting a firearm in a dwelling.

In the May incident, emergency responders were called to Shamrock Mobile Home Park in Warsaw for a juvenile who had been shot.

Upon arrival, police located a 15-year-old Warsaw boy inside a mobile home with a gunshot wound to the neck. The boy was rushed to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne in critical condition.

Although Warsaw Police initially believed the shooting to be accidental, their investigation was hampered by an attempt to dispose of the handgun, and also by giving police false information.

Multiple people were inside the mobile home, and a 9mm handgun was being handled by Bolen when the handgun discharged.

During the initial investigation, the homeowner, and relative of the victim, intentionally gave police the wrong information on who was handling the handgun when it discharged.

Judge David Cates addressed Bolen at today’s sentencing, stating, “You caused permanent damage to someone. You violated the two basic rules of firearm possession, and because of that someone has extensive injuries. I cannot and will not overlook that.”

For the count 1 battery charge, a level 6 felony, Bolen was sentenced to one year in the custody of the Kosciusko County sheriff, with the sentence to be suspended and served on probation. Bolen was given three days of jail time credit.

In regards to the count 1 criminal recklessness charge, a level 6 felony, Bolen was sentenced to two and a half years in the custody of the Kosciusko County sheriff. Bolen was given 159 days jail time credit.

The two sentences are to be served consecutively. Remaining charges were dismissed, pursuant to a plea agreement.

Bolen was ordered to attend the Bowen Center for anger management, pay court fees and is not allowed to possess a firearm at any time in the future.