Woman sentenced in prostitution of pre-teen girl

BROWNSTOWN - The 38-year-old Seymour woman accused of selling a 12-year-old girl to men for sex in last summer received a 17-year prison term Thursday in Jackson Circuit Court.

"I want it clear that it is my intention that this child be given the best possible chance of surviving this despicable crime," Jackson Circuit Judge Bill Vance said just minutes before handing down the sentence to Tina S. Day.

"Miss Day, you took away (this girl's) childhood, Vance said.

Day pleaded guilty to the crime of promoting prostitution on Feb. 21. It's a Class B felony, which calls for a sentence of six to 20 years in prison.

Vance said his aim with the sentence was to ensure that the girl has the best possible life possible, and that she is well into adulthood before Day is eligible for release from prison.

Deputy Prosecutor Katie Mote said she was pleased with the length of sentence.

"I think the judge was very fair to give the girl time to grow up to be safe," Mote said.

Day's pauper attorney, Stephen Pierson of Seymour, said he planned to talk with his client about any potential appeal. Day has 30 days to file a motion for a correction of errors or an appeal.

Pierson also said he thought Vance's sentence was fair in light of the heinous nature of the crime his client had pleaded guilty to earlier this year.

For the full story, see Friday's edition of The Tribune and watch TribTown.com for updates. 

ORIGINAL POST AT 3:33 p.m. THURSDAY

BROWNSTOWN -- Jackson Circuit Judge Bill Vance sentenced a Seymour woman to 17 years in prison Thursday on a charge of promoting prostitution.

The maximum sentence could have been 20 years.

Tina S. Day, 38, was sentenced Thursday afternoon. She pleaded guilty last month to a Class B felony charge of promoting prostitution.

She was arrested last summer, accused of forcing a pre-teen girl into prostitution.

The girl's father testified during Thursday's hearing.

Two men accused of paying to have sex with the girl were found guilty of child molesting following a Feb. 26 bench trial before Vance. They are set to be sentenced March 20.