Wellsburg, OHIO

May 18, 2007 - Ruth Ellen Bates, 61, a French teacher at John Marshall High School as well as a local Presbyterian minister, pleaded guilty to felony child neglect with a risk of injury. She was sentenced to two years probation.

Police said Bates beat the toddler, whom she adopted from Guatemala. The prosecutor agreed to probation because of Bates' age, because she had no previous record, and because the toddler was not seriously injured. Bates no longer has custody of the child. She forfeited her teaching license.

May 25, 2006 - Archived story reported that police arrested Bates after her 15 month old daughter suffered injuries including a broken skull and multiple bruises. In a videotaped interview with Wellsburg police, Bates confessed to the abuse.

Bates' colleagues claim that it's unlike her to abuse a child. "She's against war in all forms and she's an animal rights activist. She loves animals. She's written poetry and prayers about animals," said Rev. Steve Seng of Wellsburg's First Presbyterian Church, "She's just a very kind hearted, a very sweet person."

May 25, 2006 - She faced additional charges when police said the conditions in her home were so bad that the structure wasn't fit for animals, let alone a baby. When animal control officers went to Bates' home on Thursday, officials said the home was in terrible condition and removed several pets.

Mar 7, 2007 - Bates was indicted on child abuse and neglect charges. Bates faces a one count of child abuse after the girl was discovered with bruises. Investigators said they believe Bates beat the girl when the child wouldn't stop crying.

TT - what happened to the fractured skull? One of her online poems. She's "an Presbyterian minister and a vegetarian." Go figure.

Nov 28 - There are no online disciplinary actions against Bates at the Ohio Educator database.