CINCINNATI, Ohio – A Hamilton County mother has been sentenced to 3 to 4.5 years in prison for child endangerment, following a trial that lasted nearly two years. The sentencing was delivered on Wednesday by Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Alison Hathaway.
Amy Rodriguez-Dangel, 46, was found guilty of four counts of child endangerment. During the hearing, the victim expressed the impact that Rodriguez-Dangel had on their life, stating, “Amy took away my freedom, she took away my rights, and she betrayed my trust.”
The case began in 2022, when Rodriguez-Dangel and her husband at the time, Anthony Dangel, were both convicted of child endangerment. In December 2023, Anthony accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of child endangerment, becoming a witness against Rodriguez-Dangel during the trial.
Prosecutors in Hamilton County described the abuse inflicted on the child as torture. According to Anthony’s testimony, their 13-year-old son was subjected to hours-long time-outs with his nose in the corner. He was also allegedly forced to do exercises and listen to loud classical music as punishment.
Defense attorneys argued that the boy’s behavior was unruly and that any punishment he received was not criminal. Rodriguez-Dangel expressed her love for her children before her sentencing, but Judge Hathaway remarked that she did not believe Rodriguez-Dangel showed genuine remorse for her actions. As a result, Rodriguez-Dangel received a sentence of three years in prison with the possibility of a maximum 4.5-year sentence.
In conclusion, Amy Rodriguez-Dangel, a Hamilton County mother, has been sentenced to 3 to 4.5 years in prison for child endangerment. The sentencing followed a two-year trial and involved her ex-husband, who pleaded guilty to the same charge. The abuse inflicted on their son was described as torture by prosecutors, while defense attorneys argued it was not criminal. Judge Hathaway noted Rodriguez-Dangel’s lack of remorse during the hearing.