Tulsa Day Care Worker Sentenced For Child Abuse Released

A Tulsa County Judge modified the sentence of a woman who was found guilty of child abuse earlier this year.

Meredith Howard was released from custody Friday.

Howard was found guilty on two counts of child abuse while she worked as a day care provider at Kirk of the Hills and John Knox churches in Tulsa.

While at John Knox Presbyterian day care in 2010, she penetrated a 19-month-old girl's vagina with her finger. The child required surgery. At Kirk of the Hills in 2008, an 8-month-old boy's leg was broken in her care.

She pleaded no contest in court and was sentenced to 15 years in prison with 12 of those to be spent in custody and three suspended.

2/1/2013 Related Story: Former Tulsa Day Care Worker Sentenced For Child Abuse

On Friday, it was modified to a suspended sentence of 14 years and one month after a judicial review hearing before Judge William Kellough in Tulsa County District Court.

During her trial, defense attorneys argued that Howard is emotionally immature and sometimes functions as an 8 or 9 year old.

Judge Kellough has ordered Howard not to have contact with minors under the age of 18. Kellough is also recommending Howard be assigned a legal guardian.