UPDATE: 1/20
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Two caregivers who pleaded guilty to the abuse of a patient at Community Presence, Inc in Carter County learned their sentence Wednesday.

Attorney General Jack Conway says that during a hearing in Carter County Circuit Court, Todd Gribbin of Flatwoods and Earl Pelfrey of Grayson were sentenced to one year for wantonly abusing an adult, wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment.

The sentences were then diverted for a period of five years.

Gribbin and Pelfrey were indicted in Carter Circuit Court in connection with the abuse of Michael Price, a mentally handicapped adult who was under the care of and resided at Community Presence.

Gribbin and Pelfrey worked at Community Presence’s Adult Day Treatment facility. On September 20, 2007, Gribbin and Pelfrey, as well as other caregivers from Community Presence, laid on the victim’s back and chest for extended periods of time.

As part of their sentence, Gribbin and Pelfrey also were ordered to never again be employed as caregivers of vulnerable adults or children.

They also agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and prosecutions of Community Presence staff members and testify against their remaining co-defendants.

Charges in this case are still pending against Bob Thompson, Michael Yates and Mathew Wilburn.

Bob Thompson, Regina Stephens and Ira Lee Griffith also face charges in connection with other allegations of patient abuse at the facility.

The Attorney General says investigations into Community Presence, Inc. are ongoing.

According to a news release, Todd Gribbin and Earl Pelphrey, both of Grayson, pleaded guilty to wantonly abusing an adult, wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment. The pleas were entered Friday, December 4, in Carter Circuit Court.

Gribbin and Pelphrey were indicted in Carter Circuit Court in connection with the abuse of Michael Price, a mentally handicapped adult who was under the care of and resided at Community Presence. Gribbin and Pelphrey worked at Community Presence’s Adult Day Treatment facility.

According to the indictment, on September 20, 2007, Gribbin and Pelphrey, as well as other caregivers from Community Presence, laid on the victim’s back and chest for extended periods of time.

As part of the plea agreement, they will serve a one-year sentence. Gribbin and Pelphrey have agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and prosecutions of Community Presence, Inc. staff members.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2010, in Carter Circuit Court.

The release says charges in this case are still pending against Bob Thompson and Michael Yates.

Bob Thompson, Regina Stephens and Ira Lee Griffith also face charges in connection with other allegations of patient abuse at the facility.

Earlier this year, two other workers at the group home pleaded guilty to their roles in Price’s death. In April, Matthew Bortles was sentenced to 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to 2nd degree manslaughter, tampering with evidence and abusing an adult as a caregiver.

Brandon Starotska pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and wantonly abusing an adult as a caregiver. His manslaughter charge was dropped. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The Attorney General says an investigation into Community Presence is ongoing.