Carla Bousman, the adoptive grandmother of 16-year-old Sabrina Ray of Perry was convicted Friday afternoon on seven charges related to the teen’s death, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Bousman was originally charged with five counts, including three class A felonies for aiding and abetting first degree kidnapping. Under the terms of her plea agreement, the 63-year-old’s charges were reduced to seven lesser counts, the most serious being neglect of a dependant person, a class C felony. She was also charged with aggravated misdemeanors for obstructing prosecution, accessory after the fact, and two counts of child endangerment, as well as two counts of false imprisonment, serious misdemeanors.
Before rendering her sentence, District Court Judge Terry Rickers asked Bousman if she had anything to say. With tears in her eyes, she responded, “I wish I could go back to that day and change everything, and do what I know was the proper thing to do. I can’t change what was done now, but I’m very sorry. And I miss all my grandchildren very much, and hope the best for (them) and that they will forgive me for failing them when they needed me most.”
Rickers then ordered her to serve the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Before levying the sentence, Rickers spoke earnestly to Bousman, saying, “Grandmothers are supposed to be special to their grandkids… Grandmas aren’t supposed to contribute to the confinement and the degradation of their own grandchildren. Visiting a grandma is supposed to be a dream, but apparently in this case, contact between you and your grandchildren was nothing but a nightmare for them.”
Bousman was also ordered to pay the minimum fines for each offense, as well as court costs, service charges, and possibly victim restitution. She was the second defendant sentenced relating to the May 12, 2017 death of Sabrina. Sabrina’s adoptive mother, Misty Ray, father, Marc Ray, and cousin, Josie Bousman are still awaiting trial. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it’s made official.