A Jamestown woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to child neglect stemming from an Oct. 1 incident in which she struck her 13‑year‑old son with a cellphone, causing a head laceration and symptoms consistent with a low‑grade concussion, emergency medical services reported. The incident and court outcome were handled in Stutsman County, drawing attention from parents, service providers and local officials concerned about child safety and family supports.

Patience Garjah, 40, entered a guilty plea to child neglect that was originally charged as a Class C felony but was reduced to a misdemeanor under the plea agreement. Judge Troy LeFevre sentenced Garjah to 14 days in jail, granting two days’ credit for time already served. As part of the sentence, she is prohibited from possessing firearms for 360 days and must complete counseling or anger‑management requirements and pay associated fees.

The sentence combines short-term incarceration with mandated treatment and a temporary firearms prohibition, signaling a judicial approach that blends accountability with rehabilitative measures. The reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor decreases the maximum penalties and the long‑term legal consequences a conviction can carry, a point that often shapes prosecutorial decisions and plea negotiations in domestic and family‑related prosecutions.

Local child welfare advocates and law enforcement officials in Stutsman County have emphasized the need for clear procedures and accessible services when family violence affects minors. Emergency medical responders who treated the child documented physical injury and concussion‑like symptoms, prompting involvement by both medical and legal authorities. The case underscores the intersection of emergency care, child protective services and criminal courts in responding to allegations of harm to children.

For residents, the outcome raises practical questions about community safety and prevention: how families under stress can access counseling before incidents escalate, how schools and health providers should coordinate with social services, and how the justice system should weigh rehabilitation against public protection. The imposed counseling and anger‑management requirements aim to address underlying issues, but they also carry fees that may limit access for some families unless supported by community programs.

As Stutsman County moves forward, officials and community organizations face choices about resource allocation and outreach to families in crisis. Strengthening preventive services, clarifying reporting pathways, and ensuring treatment programs are affordable and effective will be central to reducing repeat incidents and protecting children. The case illustrates how single incidents can expose broader gaps in supports for families and the ongoing role of local institutions in safeguarding the county’s youngest residents.