25-03-2025
Berlin Heights father accused of using cattle prod to discipline young children is considering plea offer
SANDUSKY, Ohio (WJW) — A Berlin Heights father accused of disciplining his young children with an electric cattle prod left a plea offer on the table on Tuesday.
Robert Bores, 35, of Berlin Heights, was indicted by an Erie County grand jury in March 2024 on felony counts of domestic violence and endangering children, alleging he subjected three children to 'cruel' and 'excessive' corporal punishment, court records show.
He initially pleaded not guilty. He appeared in court on Tuesday, March 25, for an update on plea negotiations. His attorney, Jonathan McGookey of Sandusky, said Bores intends to take the case to trial.
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At the time the children were 7, 9 and 10 years old, according to the indictment. They referred to the device as the 'shocker,' Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth told the FOX 8 I-Team in March 2024.
'The indication we have is that it may have been used for alleged disciplinary reasons by the father to punish a child for various issues,' Sigsworth told the I-Team after Bores' arrest on March 13, 2024. 'It's alarming. I don't know what would compel someone to use a cattle prod on children.'
Bores previously pleaded or was convicted in two domestic violence cases in the Vermilion Municipal Court, in 2017 and 2021, according to his indictment.
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Watch previous FOX 8 I-Team coverage in the player below:
Court records show Bores in February sought to modify his bond, allowing him to have supervised visits with his children, with whom he hadn't had contact since the charges were filed.
'A grand jury determined there is probable cause to believe that the defendant used a cattle prod to psychologically, emotionally and physically harm the victims. The defendant now wants to sit in a room with them and chat about random things,' reads prosecutors' response. 'The state believes allowing him to do so will be nothing other than a subtle form of intimidation, designed to adversely impact the victims' ability to present evidence against him.'
The judge did not rule on the motion before the plea hearing was set, court records show.
Judge Beverly McGookey said Tuesday she was 'not inclined' to rule on that before a potential plea agreement was settled.
If the case goes to trial, the date will be May 19.
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