Woman accused of using shock collar on 12-year-old stepdaughter sentenced in Genesee County

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(Ivana Hrynkiw, AL.com)File photo

FLINT, MI -- A Genesee County woman accused of using a shock collar on her 12-year-old stepdaughter has been sentenced.

Tiffany R. Alvarado, 39, was sentenced Tuesday, Aug. 25 by Genesee Circuit Judge Brian J. Pickell to one year in jail, with four days credit served, and probation.

She is eligible for work release, with a tether as part of the sentence reached through a plea agreement.

Alvarado, of Richfield Township, pleaded no contest in July to one count of second-degree child abuse in exchange for a first-degree child abuse, torture, and three additional second-degree child abuse charges dropped.

The victim, whom MLive-The Flint Journal is not naming, deliver a statement through Zoom calling the deal not fair because Alvarado has abused her for a longer period of time.

She described a pattern of abuse, starting with pulling her ear but growing to pushing, kicking, and throwing her down stairs.

“She tried to drown me. She put her dog’s shock collar on me and I would shake so bad it was hard to walk,” the victim said.

The victim said she didn’t tell her father because she feared being hurt.

Jodi Lynn Hemingway, Alvarado’s attorney, said there were multiple dynamics at play in the case including previous incidents with the victim trying to burn home the home and slashing her father’s tires.

Much of the discussion in court revolved around an incident in which Alvarado struck the victim.

Alvarado said she believed the victim was pushing stuffing into a child’s mouth, while the victim told officials an attempt was being made to remove the item.

“She loved this child. She snapped on that day and she snapped because of the history of ongoing problems and behaviors,” said Hemingway, questioning why the father was not also charged. “If you just boil this down to brass tacks it’s a sensational headline, but there’s so much more to it. There’s a complicated family history.”

Genesee County Assistant Prosecutor Sara Coaster called Alvarado’s behavior “despicable.”

“She claimed in the plea she just snapped,” said Coaster. “You don’t repeatedly abuse a child. You don’t put a shock collar on a child and sit there and stare at that child and ask them how does it feel to be scared.

“The defendant has denied responsibility for this behavior from the get-go. Only finally admitted to putting a shock collar on (the victim).” added Coaster. “She should be ashamed of herself and she deserves every day she spends in jail.”

Briefly addressing the court and victim, Alvarado said the situation has torn her family apart.

“I admitted to my wrongdoing,” she commented. “I know what I did wrong…I’ve loved that little girl since she was 12 months old. I put my heart and soul into her when nobody else did.”

She admitted not being proud of her actions on that specific day, but Alvarado also denied the other allegations made.

“I know she’s angry. I know everybody is angry with me,” said Alvarado. “I will do my best to fix things. I miss my children. I hope they miss me. I’m very sorry.”

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