A Clayton County judge handed out a stiffer sentence than what prosecutors recommended Friday to a man who pleaded guilty to putting a 9-year-old boy in the trunk of a car.
Charlie Woods, 54, received a 10-year prison sentence for the incident from last June, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The boy is the son of his ex-girlfriend, officials said. The incident occurred about two months after their breakup.
The boy’s mother, Shirley Murphy, testified that Woods would text her threatening messages, Channel 2 reported.
“That my time was on its way and I'm going to get what’s coming to me,” she said.
Woods picked up the boy at his home in East Point and drove the car to a Department of Driver Services location near Forest Park, officials said.
A woman saw the boy peeking his head out of the trunk, supposedly to get air, Channel 2 reported at the time. She then called 911.
Woods was arrested as he tried to get away, Channel 2 reported.
“(The boy) could have died,” prosecutor John Fowler said in court Friday.
Judge Shana Rooks asked Woods in court, “You have no mental health issues?”
“No, ma’am,” he answered.
She then sentenced Woods, although prosecutors had recommended only five years in prison.
Said Murphy: “I just thank God that my son is OK and I'm happy with the verdict.”
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