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Wausau Mother Accused of Child Neglect Resulting in Death Back in Jail Save Email Print
Posted: 10:48 AM May 22, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:39 PM May 22, 2008
 Reporter: Liz Hayes
Email Address: lhayes@wsaw.com
9 comments
A | A | A

A Wausau woman is back in jail, seven weeks after being sentenced to probation in the death of her son.

Everest Metro Police say they arrested Jessica Kasten Wednesday night in Schofield for speeding. According to the police report, Kasten is facing a drunk driving charge and violations of child safety restraints. She's being held on a probation violation.

The report says an officer noticed Kasten's two children - ages two and three - were not properly buckled in the back seat. Police say the officer also smelled alcohol on Kasten's breath.

A breathalyzer test showed Kasten's blood alcohol level was 0.15. She was then taken to St. Clare's Hospital in Weston for a blood draw, then the Marathon County Jail.

The report says this is Kasten's first operating while intoxicated. She'll appear in Schofield/Weston Municipal Court on June 10.

In a plea deal, Kasten, 26, pleaded no contest in December 2007 to neglecting a child causing death. Authorities say her son, Gavin, died while she was high on methamphetamine in April 2007. Police say Kasten had been asleep for 18 hours after using the drug.

Kasten was sentenced by Marathon County Judge Patrick Brady to four to 10 years probation. She faced a maximum 15 years in prison.
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Posted by: Patty Location: wittenberg on May 23, 2008 at 06:08 AM
Meth Mom, Drunk Mom? What the who hah, is wrong with this mom? She got the chance to be a mom and what did she do, though it all away. And I would hope she doesn't see the childern and is put in prison now. When I read that she only got probation, I didn't think it was right, so now she proved to not be a changed person and put her other two childern in danger. If she is let off on this one, then our justice system is not working, in my thoughts it didn't work the first time. Don't give her another chance, she just doesn't deserve it. Lock her up and throw away the key.
Posted by: Just a matter of Time Location: Wausau on May 22, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Imagine that, the career criminal is back in jail. Maybe she will be able to get a ice pack to put on her wrist from when Judge Brady slapped it the first time. Come on, what does it take for Kasten to learn? Obviously she didn't learn from losing her child. Taycheedah, here comes Kasten. Send her away for along time.
Posted by: caring for innocent Location: stevens point on May 22, 2008 at 06:23 PM
granted her children could have been hurt but what about the INNOCENT people out driving or walking that could have also been hurt...its just not the issue of her children, its the innocent who usually get hurt or killed by drunk drivers......and where was her probation officer in all this and why wasnt she being screened like most people under supervision? hang her high and protect the kids And society
Posted by: A rational person Location: Antigo on May 22, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Judge Brady did the right thing with her original sentence. A sober person could be sleeping and have their child suffocate just as easily as a "high" individual. These kids need their mother and and she deserved a second chance. I could have seen Judge Brady giving her a slightly more stiff punishment originally but understand the dilemma involved in this case. At the same time, should someone go to jail every time a tragedy occurs? She was granted a second chance and did not take advantage of it. I believe Kasten should get hard time now. Drunk driving is one thing, but drunk driving with your kids in the car after being cut some slack for child neglect....STUPIDITY. Her ignorance alone should earn her at least 10 years if not life. I feel terrible for her kids but I do not think Judge Brady is to blame for the incident.
Posted by: mother of 2 Location: Wausau on May 22, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I personally have made mistakes that have landed me in jail, and was given a second chance to change. I understood Jessica and a little of what she was going through. Now I am no longer sitting on her side. She screwed this up for herself, and now she will go away. Why and how could anyone who is given a second chance at life go and mess so much up in such a little period of time. Get help Jessica, and sit your time, maybe when you get out, you will have grown up some.
Posted by: A mother 2 Location: Wausau on May 22, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I can't believe that Judge Brady let her go the first time, and to have those kids in her care without even having any treatment. Let's hope she doesn't get her children back and that they are and will be in a safe place.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 22, 2008 at 12:58 PM
who is really surprised by this? Judge Brady had better be thinking long and hard if he is capable of being a judge any more after putting the lives of helpless children in the hands of a murderer
Posted by: a very loveing caring mother Location: wausau on May 22, 2008 at 12:07 PM
i think she should sit life that is murder i saw her i have no respect for her i saw her pregnant and i was very disapointed that she couold have another after killing the first please find a safe place for that child
Posted by: A mom Location: Junction City on May 22, 2008 at 11:00 AM
SHOCKER!!!!! I think we all knew this was going to happen--great job by Judge Brady!!!! A meth head, a drunk, and a danger to children (2 have died in her care)! According to her family--we don't know the real Jessica Kasten---I think we do. She has proven that she should not have custody of her children and should be locked away for a very long time! Please put her away, I have a child that doesn't need to be hit by her drunk driving abilities! This is ridiculous that she was even allowed to have custody of her remaining children. This should not have happened. What would have happened if she had killed them too? I am betting a wagging finger saying "NO N", a slap on the wrist and 1 month in jail???
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