Candace Clark might spend the rest of her life in prison for her role in the Portage "House of Horrors" case. The 24-year-old Clark was sentenced Tuesday to 55 years in prison. If she's still alive when upon release, Clark was told to spend up to 40 years under extended supervision.
Police thought they were checking on Clark's two-year-old girl when they went to her house in June of last year. Instead, they found Tammie Garlin buried in the back yard and Garlin's 12-year-old son battered and burned. Investigators then learned that Clark took her daughter from a foster care facility in Florida. She and band of drifters traveled the country committing identity thefts and other crimes, before settling in Portage early last year.
Judge Alan White said the viciousness of the Portage crimes is astounding and he took the average woman's life expectancy into account in deciding on Clark's sentence. Clark's lawyer says she'll appeal.
22-year-old Michaela Clerc was sentenced to 37 years in September for her role in the youngster's abuse. Experts said the boy will probably suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder for the rest of his life.
