Esther Arunga may not be entirely a free lady even after being released on parole.
While Justice Martin Burns- the judge handling her case- handed her a lenient sentence of just 10 months which also saw her released on parole, she still has a lot of responsibilities required of her.
On Monday, Arunga admitted to misleading the courts to protect her husband Quincy Wambitta Timberlake who is accused of killing their three-year-old son in 2014.
Initial reports by the family indicated that the boy- Sinclair had fallen down the stairs while playing with his younger brother. However, an autopsy would later reveal that injuries sustained were from a blunt force, and were inconsistent with falling down the stairs.
What Arunga’s Sentence Means
After pleading guilty to being an accessory to her son’s death, Justice Burns said he was sympathetic of Arunga, noting that she must “have been in shock at the death of your son, at the times when you were interviewed… and further to be grieving at your loss,” he said.
“You went from being a wife and a mother, who was at that time nursing a six-month-old baby, and who was otherwise trying to establish your young family in a new country, to losing your son, husband and daughters,” he added.
While on parole, Arunga will be closely monitored during the entire parole period.
Should she be involved in any crime during the 10 months under observation, authorities will arrest and jail her for the remainder of the sentence from the time when the fresh offence was committed.
Now, during this sentence, Arunga will be under instructions of an officer sanctioned by the Australian parole board.
Among other duties that may be assigned to her include sweeping parks, removing graffiti from the streets, cooking soft-toy making and other services that directly benefit the community.
In Australia, parole is given under the conditions that the offender does not engage in any other crime during the parole period, they do not possess any offensive weapon, and that they adhere to the directions of a community corrections officer supervising them.