Babysitter found not guilty of child abuse

By: News Virginian Staff | News Virginian
Published: May 23, 2008

A jury has found not guilty a Waynesboro babysitter accused of breaking the leg of an 8-month-old girl last year.
Constance Howard, 57, was charged in January with one count of felony child abuse for allegedly breaking the child’s right femur Sept. 11 while “forcing” her into a walker, according to court documents.
The child’s mother, Elizabeth Grace Aikens, of Augusta County, simultaneously filed a $500,000 civil suit accusing Howard of causing the injury then failing to call for help, according to court documents. The civil suit is still pending.
After a 16-hour trial Tuesday in Waynesboro Circuit Court, a jury deliberated for 36 minutes before finding Howard not guilty on the criminal charge.
“Obviously we’re very disappointed in the verdict but the jury made its mind up and justice is always done,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Weidner.
Perry Hanger, 41, of Crimora, who testified as a character witness during the trial, described Howard as a well respected, generous, caring person.
“She babysat both my children,” Hanger said. “My son is now 22, and he still calls her Mamma Connie and goes fishing with her husband. Those kids would cry when they left there because they were content and happy. She was a wonderful babysitter. We never had any problems with her.”
Howard said she felt vindicated by the trial’s outcome.
“I feel good because I knew that I didn’t do anything and God was on my side,” Howard said.