Report: Jail Time, Community Service for Woman Who Made Child Wear ‘I Am a Thief’ Shirt

Ahavel Scherz—who was convicted of malicious punishment of a child and domestic assault after she made her boyfriend’s daughter kneel on the floor while holding a chair above her head and sent her to school wearing a shirt that read “I am a thief”—was sentenced this week to 15 days in jail and community service, according to a Pioneer Press report. 

The incidents took place at a Woodbury home in April.

When the girl’s arms could no longer remain fully extended while she was holding the chair, Scherz would strike the girl repeatedly with a wooden spoon, and the girl suffered numerous bruises on her arms and legs, according to a previous release from the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

The next day Scherz wrote, “My name is (the girl’s name) and I am a thief” on the front of a shirt and “I have been stealing my dad’s girlfriend’s clothes…I am a thief” on the back, and forced the girl to wear the shirt to school, according to the release.

“I cannot imagine what this poor child went through that night and following day,” Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said in an August statement after Scherz was convicted. “Adding to that pain she was forced to come into court and relive that horrible experience in order to bring Scherz to justice. I am proud that our Washington County citizens have brought some justice to this brave little girl. Hopefully, this will send a message to parents that there is a line that cannot be crossed in disciplining our children.”

Also charged was Garrett Scott Jensen, Scherz's boyfriend and the child's father, who pleaded guilty in October and is set to be sentenced in January, according to the story from twincities.com.

Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter