LOS ANGELES : Mother Gets Probation for Stealing Daughter
A woman convicted of stealing her 5-year-old daughter from the legal father was sentenced Tuesday to three years’ probation, ending another chapter in a bizarre custody battle over the girl, Courtney Thomas.
Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel also ordered the mother, 46-year-old Catherine F. Thomas of Van Nuys, to perform 100 hours of community service and obey the terms of a family court order that awarded custody of Courtney to Kevin Thomas, a former family friend who changed his name to match the girl’s. Kevin Thomas, who says he is gay, has no blood ties to the child.
The sentencing Tuesday was part of a plea bargain designed to keep Catherine Thomas out of jail for the sake of her child, according to both the prosecution and defense. Accused of absconding with Courtney last July 29 during a visit, Catherine Thomas pleaded no contest to felony child stealing.
“I didn’t want a protracted trial with the child coming out the loser,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Linda Acaldo said.
Catherine Thomas is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 18 for a hearing on whether she should pay $15,000 in restitution to Kevin Thomas, who was reunited with Courtney in September after the fugitive mother and child were seized in Pittsburgh.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
