WINTON HILLS — Daisha Phillips received a two-year prison sentence on June 22 after pleading guilty to child abuse charges in a Hamilton County court. Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dinkelacker imposed the sentence, which was an agreed-upon term between prosecutors and Phillips as part of her plea deal.

Phillips had admitted to investigators that her "normal discipline" for her young children included beatings with a belt or broom. She also told investigators that she pushed the children down stairs with their wrists bound with rope. Phillips lived in Winton Hills when she was arrested and charged last year. The children were 4 and 5 years old at the time of her arrest. Court documents indicated that the 5-year-old child was hospitalized following a beating with a belt.

Judge Dinkelacker ordered Phillips to have no contact with her children during her incarceration. The judge, who previously served on a child abuse task force, wrote "No mercy" on a card used to track the case. Dinkelacker addressed Phillips during the sentencing, stating, "This one will stick with me for a while." He also told her, "These children will never be able to enjoy the childhood they deserve because of their mom." Phillips declined to make a statement in court.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich released a statement following the sentencing. Pillich said Phillips' crimes represented "a profound betrayal of trust," adding that "Children should never have to live in fear." Pillich concluded, "Today's prison sentence holds this defendant accountable and underscores my office's commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community."

Amy Detisch, Phillips' attorney, stated that Phillips expressed genuine remorse for her actions. Detisch added that Phillips "knows what she did was wrong."