Parents face sentencing

By Tracy Bell

Published: June 12, 2008

STAFFORD — The mother of a toddler who died in October pleaded guilty to child abuse in Stafford County Circuit Court on June 5. 

Charity Demas, of North Stafford, also pleaded guilty to child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Stafford County Circuit Court records.

Demas is also charged with child neglect. She is free on bond until an Aug. 25 sentencing.

Her daughter, Ariana Demas, died October 10 after she was left strapped into a car seat in a bedroom in the family’s home. According to court records, the child was being fussy, so she was placed into the car seat and left in the bedroom.

Well into the nighttime hours — reportedly sometime after 1 a.m. when Ariana was placed in the seat - she was not checked on again until about 7 a.m., according to court records.

When her mother then checked on her, she found that the straps to the car seat were wrapped around her neck and the child was blue. The seat belt had reportedly strangled her, an autopsy later verified.

Ariana was later pronounced dead at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

Charity Demas’ husband Timothy Demas, also faced charges following the tragedy, but some of the charges were dropped. He too, faces an Aug. 25 sentencing, but will face a misdemeanor charge.

Other than Ariana, the couple has three other children.