LOCAL JUDGE GOES AGAINST MARYLAND SENTENCING GUIDELINES AND STATES ATTORNEY RECOMMENDATION IN SENTENCING SUSPECT FOUND GUILTY OF CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

Easton, MD - In a shocking and highly unusual sentencing decision, Earl Andrew Kautz of Easton, Maryland, was spared prison time despite being found guilty of multiple charges including First and Second Degree Child Abuse, Second Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and Possession of Child Pornography.

Presiding Judge Broughton Earnest diverged from the recommended 12 to 25-year prison sentence outlined in the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines and the recommendation from the State Attorney. Instead, Earnest handed down a ten-year sentence, suspending all but five years and allowing him to serve it on home detention.

This ruling means Kautz will spend the next five years in his residence, rather than a prison cell, for his crimes.

The charges against Kautz stemmed from allegations of the abuse of a one-year-old boy and assault on a 13-year-old girl, both living in his home. The three-day trial ended on March 28, 2024, and saw the conviction of Kautz on all charges.

Evidence presented during the trial included testimonies from eyewitnesses and medical experts and a record of the 13-year-old interview with the Talbot County Department of Social Services.

Testimonies revealed repeated instances of Kautz shaking the child and evidence of non-accidental injuries. The 13-year-old also testified to being physically assaulted by Kautz.

Ultimately, Kautz's sentencing occurred on August 21, 2024, due to defense-granted postponements over the State's objections. The decision to spare Kautz from jail time has sparked disappointment among the prosecutors and investigators who worked tirelessly on this case.

In his statement, State's Attorney Joseph I. Coale expressed his profound disappointment at the judge's ruling despite the substantial effort invested in building the case and obtaining a conviction on all counts.