ESCANABA, MI-- The mother of an Escanaba teenager and her boyfriend have pleaded in circuit court to torturing the boy.
A preliminary hearing was held Thursday for Susan Bardo, 46, and Carl Pellinen, 47. They’re accused of keeping the 15-year-old in a small room made of tarps and abusing him over a four-year period.
Bardo pleaded guilty to first-degree child abuse and torture. Pellinen pleaded no contest to first-degree criminal sexual conduct and guilty to first-degree child abuse.
Both face up to life in prison. Bardo’s sentencing is set for August 13, while Pellinen will be sentenced August 19 in Delta County Circuit Court.
