Published: July 22, 2008 11:19 am         

Couple pleads guilty in restraint case

Hoopeston woman left chained to her bed

DANVILLE — A Hoopeston couple pleaded guilty Monday in Vermilion County Circuit Court to unlawful restraint, a Class 4 felony.

Ronald and Barbara Schwartz are accused of the crime in connection to a March 2007 incident.

The couple entered an Alford plea, which allows them to accept the penalty without admitting guilt. The two will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Sept. 4.

Hoopeston police responded March 30, 2007, to a report of Paula Schwartz calling for help from the Schwartzes’ home. Officers found Paula Schwartz attached to a small bed with about eight feet of dog chain and a padlock.

A coffee can was in the room for her to use as a toilet, and a bottle of water was left for her to drink while the couple drove to Danville for an appointment at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System.

The felony charge filed in the case cites a timeframe from Jan. 1, 2007, to March 30, 2007, and police have said the couple could have done this periodically to Paula.

“(The defendants) pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint for probation terms and conditions open, which can be up to 364 days in jail, a fine or anything in between,” said State’s Attorney Frank Young.

The court also can mandate court costs to be paid or other requirements of the defendants.

Before making a sentencing recommendation, Young will review the pre-sentence investigation, which could contain additional background information on the defendants.

“Ultimately, that is a decision the judge will make,” Young said, of the sentence.

The Alfred plea is available to defendants without any other felony convictions, he added.