Helen Fettes: Grandmother given probation in deadly hit & run - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

Slap on the Wrist: Grandmother given only probation and fine in deadly hit & run

Posted: Updated:
Helen Fettes convicted in deadly 2011 hit-and-run accident Helen Fettes convicted in deadly 2011 hit-and-run accident
Charlie Kho killed in October 2011 hit-and-run accident Charlie Kho killed in October 2011 hit-and-run accident
Charlie Kho's family in court for sentencing, 1/14/2013 Charlie Kho's family in court for sentencing, 1/14/2013
Helen Fettes in court for sentencing, 1/14/2013 Helen Fettes in court for sentencing, 1/14/2013
OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, OH (WOIO) -

An Olmsted Township grandmother was sentenced today for the October 17, 2011 hit-and-run death of 13-year-old Charlie Kho. 

Helen Fettes, 81, was sentenced to 5 years probation, 5 years house arrest and ordered to pay $125,000 in restitution.  Judge Hollie Gallagher also took away her drivers license for life and fined her $1,000.

Fettes could have been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. Some members of Kho's family asked the judge to send her to prison.

The seventh grade Berea student was walking down Cook Road when he was hit by a car. He died the next day at MetroHealth Medical Center, on his birthday. 

It wasn't until a month later that police were tipped off to the car involved in the deadly accident. They say Helen Fettes brought the car in to Ganley Body Shop for repair and wanted to pay for the damages herself.

The receptionist knew something was not quite right, and contacted police.

Helen Fettes eventually indicted in the accident on December 30, 2011. She appeared in court in January 2012 and pled no contest to a series of charges, including tampering with evidence and failure to stop after an accident.  

Judge Hollie Gallagher later found her guilty.

Copyright 2013 WOIO. All rights reserved.