Syracuse Woman Sentenced On Rape Charge
KOSCIUSKO — A Syracuse woman was sentenced Thursday, June 28, in the Kosciusko Superior Court 1, after being found guilty of charges related to an incident that occurred in June 2017.
Kayla Brown, East CR 1300N, Syracuse, pleaded guilty to rape, a level 3 felony.
On June 12, 2017, an officer responded to a report of battery in Syracuse. The officer observed multiple bruises on the arms and forehead of the victim, a bruised and swollen eye and red marks and scrapes on both sides of her neck.
The victim stated she had spent the day with her ex-girlfriend, Brown. The victim advised that after the two returned to the victim’s home, Brown became irate when the victim received a text from another person.
The victim stated Brown grabbed her, striking her with her fists and biting her upper lip. The victim also noted Brown had grabbed the victim’s iPhone and threw it on the ground, breaking the phone.
Brown was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on June 12 on a charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury. Additional charges, including rape, were later added.
In court today, June 28, the victim took the stand to give a victim impact statement. The victim, who said she had been in a relationship with Brown for seven years, stated she did not wish to address the judge but rather had some things she wanted say to Brown.
“I forgive you,” she told Brown tearfully. “I want you to have a good life. I didn’t want this to ever be where we ended up.”
Brown’s lawyer, Chad Thurston, called on Brown’s mother and stepfather to make statements. Chris Cotton said he had known Brown since she was 5 years old. The couple said that Brown was diagnosed in her early teens with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Tammy Cotton, Brown’s mother, described her daughter as “a very caring, thoughtful person who always looked out for the underdog as a child.”
“She loves people. She has a genuine heart,” said Brown’s mother. “Unfortunately she has experienced some very traumatic events in her life, as far back as a young child.”
The couple said Brown has many gifts and talents, including skills in art, writing and golf.
“She has a lot of potential,” said her mother.
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz began by saying, “I appreciate the comments made by Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, but they haven’t met their daughter.”
“She’s 26 years old – it’s on her to take care of her issues, her mental health, her substance abuse, especially the alcohol. I have no doubt that Kayla is an intelligent, creative and articulate person,” said Voelz. “In fact, I’ve seen some of her work and it’s really good, but as I look at her criminal history, all the warning signs are there.”
“When a person does something because they’re so drunk, the thing that they do is not out of their character – it’s an extreme extension of their character,” Voelz stated. “I say this not to discourage Kayla against rehabilitation – I say it to encourage her not to blame it on alcohol.”
“Kayla has accepted responsibility for her actions,” said Thurston. “She’s had sufficient time to reflect on her life and the decisions she has made that bring us here today. She recognizes that alcohol has played a major role in her life.”
“You have tremendous family support,” Judge David Cates said to Brown. “I have no doubt about that.”
“It’s pretty obvious alcohol is an issue,” Cates continued. “It sounds like you’re more than willing to help others, but it’s time for you to help yourself.”
Cates sentenced Brown to 10 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with six of those years being suspended and to be served on probation. Brown was ordered to have no contact with the victim. She was ordered to attend substance abuse counseling at the Otis R. Bowen Center and to successfully complete the program.
“I’m going to recommend purposeful incarceration,” said Cates. “That’s a tough program. Assuming you get no disciplinary write-ups and are successful in the program, I will consider modifying the sentence at a later date.”
Brown was ordered to register as a sex offender. She was given one day of jail time credit. Cates ordered that the sentence be served consecutive to sentences received in any other pending cases. Remaining charges were dismissed, pursuant to the plea agreement.