Teen Mom star Amber Portwood pleaded guilty to two felony counts of domestic battery on Thursday as part of a plea deal to avoid additional jail time.
|
ADVERTISEMENT
|
Portwood, a 20-year-old from Anderson, IN, was arrested last year after prosecutors charged her with two felony counts of domestic battery, one felony count of neglect of a dependent and one misdemeanor of domestic violence and battery for several incidents -- some of which were broadcast on Teen Mom -- in which she allegedly assaulted Gary Shirley, her then on-again, off-again fiance and father of her two-year-old daughter Leah.
In addition to the probation sentence, Portwood must also reportedly complete 30 days of inpatient treatment and subsequent outpatient treatment based on evaluation. Happe also ordered Portwood to obtain her high school diploma and put aside $10,000 to start a college fund for Leah, The Bulletin reported.
According to The Bulletin, if Portwood will have her two other charges -- felony neglect of a dependent and misdemeanor domestic battery -- dropped against her if she honors the terms of her plea deal.
Happe reportedly instructed the Teen Mom star to begin saving money for her daughter's future education because most of Portwood's abuse occurred in front of Leah and he believes the fund will be "rehabilitating" for the child.
The judge also concluded that one major difference separated Portwood from most cases of her kind.
"What distinguishes her from others in her situation, is that she has substantial financial assets available," Happe told The Bulletin.
The Teen Mom star revealed in January she makes $140,000 for a six-month contract with MTV for filming the show. Portwood made the disclosure during a court appearance with Madison County magistrate Steven Clase following her arrest.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
