Pocono News Section

Dad Sentenced for Spending Kids' Food Stamps on Booze & Cigarettes

Dad Sentenced for Spending Kids' Food Stamps on Booze & Cigarettes - Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 6:25PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 @ 06:25pm EDT
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A Lackawanna County man, who pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges, learned his fate Tuesday morning.

Roy Rivers learned he will spend between 18-60 months behind bars. Prosecutors say along with his wife, Cynthia Sherman, he let his five children live in a house of filth on Main Street. All of the children were between the ages of six months and five years old.

Instead of buying diapers, food and medicine for the kids, the couple spent the money elsewhere.

"These are two parents who chose alcohol, drugs and cigarettes over providing basic necessities for their children," assistant district attorney Michelle Olshefski said.

In front of the judge, Rivers seemingly denied responsibility for the neglect. Instead, he blamed his wife. Rivers actually testified against her at her trial. Before sentencing, the judge called this case one of the most aggregious neglect cases he'd ever seen. As a result, Rivers got a stiffer sentence than his wife.

"I'm so surprised by the position that Roy Rivers took as far as trying to deflect blame from himself unto the mother. He cooperated early on and admitted to every allegation," Olshefski said.

Prosecutors say the good thing is, the children who lived in the home are now with other families.

"The good news is the children will hopefully never be in the custody of these parents," Olshefski said.