A St. Paul mother whose son was burned by her boyfriend pleaded guilty Monday to stealing money from the son -- money donated to help with his recovery.
Jodi Ann Stewart, 40, pleaded guilty in Dakota County to stealing $2,500 from her son. She admitted to one count of theft by swindle and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
She will get credit for 34 days served and will serve two thirds of the remaining time. The mother also must pay restitution to the son, Antoine Willis, who spent weeks in the hospital recovering from the burns inflicted on him by the mother's boyfriend.
Stewart will be on probation for five years, undergo a mental health evaluation and must stay away from her son until he agrees to see her.
Also facing charges in connection with the theft is her brother, Jeffrey Allen Stewart.
His case is still proceeding through the court system, the Dakota County attorney's office said.
The brother and sister took the money from bank accounts and used it in part for gambling at a casino, according to the criminal complaints filed by the county attorney's office.
Willis was burned over most of his body earlier this year by Edwin Reed, 54, of St. Paul.
Reed set Willis on fire on July 20, while he slept, because the teenager had tried to break up a fight between his mother and Reed, according to Ramsey County court documents. Willis ran from the house with his head surrounded by a large fireball.
Heron Marquez • 952-746-3281
