Dad Terry Phillips Brought 3yo To Drug Deal Now Says Hes Changed

[Whisper]

OTTAWA — A “great father” who brought his three-year-old daughter to a crack deal shouldn’t spend a day in jail, his lawyer argued Friday.

The smiling little girl in the Mickey Mouse T-shirt held father Terry Phillips’s hand on the way to one of five drug deals in March and April 2010. The moment was captured on police surveillance photos taken of the 38-year-old father of two and repeat drug dealer. In total, Phillips sold the officer 15.4 grams of crack cocaine over the five meetings.

Phillips, 38, also brought the child to his sentencing hearing before Ontario Superior Court Justice Lynn Ratushny deemed it inappropriate and asked her mother to remove her from the courtroom.

His lawyer, James Harbic, argued the “caring and thoughtful” family man who previously served six months in jail for dealing crack should be sentenced to two years’ less a day of house arrest and other conditions.

Federal prosecutor Céline Harrington argued that was absurd. She asked for 2½ to three years in federal prison.

Harrington said nothing could be more aggravating than bringing an innocent child to what could have been “a very volatile, dangerous situation.”

“He brings his three-year-old toddler with him ... despite the violence associated with drug dealing,” Harrington argued.

“An innocent three-year-old girl holding her dad’s hand to do a drug deal,” she said, holding the photo up, so Ratushny could see it. “Are those the actions of a good father?”

Harbic acknowledged Phillips’s decision to bring the child was “stupid” but argued his client had turned his life around. The former addict was committed to his full-time job at a hotel and taking care of his teenaged autistic son and young daughter.

“He has very serious responsibilities as a family man,” said Harbic. “He really understands that important role.”

Society would be better served if Phillips was allowed to serve his time in the community, Harbic argued.



“We can’t hide behind our children but ultimately, the court can’t have a blind eye,” said Harbic. “A period of incarceration will have a negative impact on this man, his family and the community as a whole.”



Phillips himself told Ratushny he denounced drugs, was committed to becoming a “positive person” and wanted to make a better life for his family, even though a probation report said he still smoked marijuana on weekends.

Harrington argued that was the same “song and dance” he presented the last time Phillips admitted to dealing crack.

Nothing has changed, she said.
[...]

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Fa...#ixzz1vRD4ZIrz

[malq]

I have mixed emotions.

First of all, most drug deals are 99.9% benign without violence. Depending on the situation, the child might have not been exposed to as much danger as illustrated here. Not condoning this, but questioning if this should be the main issue. With drugs. you HAVE to do the deal, and if he left the kid by herself in a shitty diaper, it would be bad too.

2nd, some people really do change. if that is the case, give him another chance. Unfortunately, that is 99% of the criminals mantra on the way to the big house and it is impossible to tell. Given previous history, the judge is doing the right thing.

Mixed emotions, but have to side with the kid and what is best for her. I would have to know what the Mom is up to. The fact the kids were with him and not her makes me wonder if she isn't better off with Dad, who is working full time..

[melissa222]

I agree @malq most drug deals are violence free... and leaving the child alone is not good either... i too have mixed emotions... since my babies have been born they have been attached to each of my legs, the only space i get is when i work... when i am off they are literally attached to me almost... so they have seen a good bit of all my day to day life, not saying that i am dealing drugs or anything but i can see how this scenario above can play out or happen... I think this is a tough one... he was dealing, knew it was wrong, had been in trouble for it before... sooo.. as long as they aren't handing him decade long terms for this shia I understand that side too.... it is tough one... really feel for the kid though, who I bet loves her daddy more than anything :(

[sinfulplezurz702]

I cant imagine bringing my child anywhere near people who use crack cocaine..i wouldnt go around those kinds of people and im an adult. The bottom line is as a father he is responsible for making good choices for his children..he's supposed to protect them and im pretty sure that means keeping them as far away from people who abuse drugs and dangerous situations as possible...and he failed. Hopefully his kids choose a better path than he did.

[Obsolete]

I have mixed emotions.

First of all, most drug deals are 99.9% benign without violence. Depending on the situation, the child might have not been exposed to as much danger as illustrated here. Not condoning this, but questioning if this should be the main issue. With drugs. you HAVE to do the deal, and if he left the kid by herself in a shitty diaper, it would be bad too.

2nd, some people really do change. if that is the case, give him another chance. Unfortunately, that is 99% of the criminals mantra on the way to the big house and it is impossible to tell. Given previous history, the judge is doing the right thing.

Mixed emotions, but have to side with the kid and what is best for her. I would have to know what the Mom is up to. The fact the kids were with him and not her makes me wonder if she isn't better off with Dad, who is working full time..

I agree with this, except the bolded part. Being a mother doesn't mean you have to be with your child 24 hrs a day. Maybe mom was at work that day?