A judge ordered a 10-year probation term for a Robinson woman who allowed a mentally disabled man she was caring for sleep on a fire-ant mound.
Carole Laura Jacobs also must do 400 hours of community service.
The Waco Tribune-Herald, in its online edition Wednesday, reported the 71-year-old man was using a walker June 9 he fell in the woman's back yard.
Defense attorney Thomas West said the 65-year-old Jacobs struggled to help the man to his feet, but could not get him to stand, so she gave him a blanket and they spent the night outdoors.
A report by Robinson police said Jacobs apparently did not realize the diabetic man was being bitten by fire ants, plus his blood sugar level had fallen.
Police said Jacobs, who worked for a company that contracts with the state for elderly care, did not call her employer to summon help until about 15 hours after the man fell.
Jacobs in October pleaded guilty to injury to a disabled person. She was sentenced Tuesday to deferred probation, meaning there is no final judgment of guilt if Jacobs successfully completes probation.
"Obviously, it was a serious mistake in judgment, and she admitted it," according to West. "But otherwise, she had numerous years of taking care of individuals who needed it and did a very good job at it."
The injured man and two other men were removed from the care of Jacobs, who no longer works with the disabled.
