Krystal Sue Miller

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman received a suspended sentence for a neglect charge on Thursday, Feb. 6, after being under the influence of drugs and leaving her children unsupervised.

Krystal Sue Miller, 28, 340 E. Levi Lee Road Lot 94, Warsaw, was charged with neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony.

On April 30, 2019, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office went to a residence and spoke with witnesses who said they saw two young children walking around unsupervised. The mother, identified as Miller, was unresponsive inside the residence.

According to court documents, the officer spoke with Miller, who had slightly slurred speech. She told police she laid down to take a nap and locked the front door, but also said the children knew how to unlock the lock. Officials with Child Protective Services told officers that Miller had tested positive for methamphetamine.

Miller later told police she had used methamphetamine during the time of the initial incident and that on one occasion, she ate the drug to keep her children from getting into it.

“Separating Krystal from her children is not going to help them or her, and is not going to help her situation,” said Defense Attorney Dana Leon. “Probation would really help her be accountable, and staying clean is her number one goal.”

In court, Miller apologized for her actions and said that “I know I made a mistake.”

“You did not make a mistake,” said Kosciusko Superior Court 1 Judge David Cates. “You made a choice. You have to do better. Methamphetamine use does not equate to being a great mom.”

Miller was sentenced to two years in the Kosciusko County Jail; the sentence was suspended on formal probation.