A former KOLD 13 crime reporter and his journalist wife pled guilty to a misdemeanor endangerment charges.
Both Som and Krystin Lisaius had previously pled not guilty to charges of possession of a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia and child abuse after being indicted on June 9.
The couple will have a sentencing hearing on Oct. 3.
Trouble first began for the couple around 11 a.m. Sunday, May 15, when the couple took their 4-month-old child to the Oro Valley Hospital, fearing for her wellbeing. After the infant girl was evaluated by hospital staff, the couple refused to allow nurses to perform a blood draw on the child. Sometime later, the parents left with the child against medical advice but agreed to have her transferred to Banner University Medical Center for further evaluation.
Cocaine was eventually found in the child’s system, and both parents admitted to having used the drug just the previous night at a barbecue they were hosting at their home. Krystin Lisaius also admitted to a UMC social worker to recently breastfeeding the child and both parents later tested positive for the drug.
During the course of investigation, Som Lisaius told Oro Valley Police Department detectives that evening that he and his wife hosted a barbecue at their home for a birthday celebration, including family and friends. Som Lisaius eventually admitted that he used cocaine that night, and also used the drug “every six weeks or so.” He also said that he has witnessed his wife using cocaine since having their child.
After being indicted on June 9, both Som and Krystin plead not guilty on June 27. The plea agreement would result in other charges being dropped. The charge is a felony but can be designated as a misdemeanor after time served.
According to the couple’s attorney, Michael Piccarreta, the child was placed with her maternal grandmother by the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Som Lisaius first joined to Tucson reporting scene in 2000 after having worked in Michigan and attending Alma College for a bachelor’s degree in English and Boston University for a master’s degree in broadcast journalism.
Krystin Lisaius attended Pima Community College before receiving a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and met her husband when she was brought on as an intern into the KOLD newsroom in 2012.
Editor’s Note: this story has been updated since its original publication.
This article appears in Aug 25-31, 2016.
If these two had been a poor couple, they would have locked them up and thrown away the key. Obviously, politicians are not the only ones who can be bought and paid for when “justice” for the child victim is pleaded away.
“A former KVOA 13 crime reporter…admitted that he used cocaine that night, and also used the drug ‘every six weeks or so’.” The irony is simply beautiful.
I feel very angry on behalf of the kid, though. Who wouldn’t?
Jesus Christ, he is a former KOLD 13 Crime Reporter, not KVOA 13 (sic) … good job, TW …. get the facts right.
Yikes, good eye, Danehicks Sux.
Also, I know I’m throwing some serious shade here, but if Krystin Lasaius is 26 years old, then I’m a monkey’s uncle. Take a good long look at that photo. See how her neck muscles are all stretched taut? Most women only take on that appearance after having had some major work done.
Okay, this is small beer compared with illegal drug use and gravely endangering the welfare of a helpless infant, but still.
Pardon the misspelling. It is an uncommon last name.
The sunken cheeks are common with regular cocaine abusers. That usually happens before their nasal passages begin preliminary deterioration.
Learn something new everyday, Doc.
Mike Piccarreta is a “big time” dope attorney, the “go to” guy for the upper level drug dealers. Mike spreads benjamins; he’s got “juice.”
ASK: Where did she get the money for her rack?
If they were black and poor nobody would care.
Are you thinking he is paid with drug money?
Among Piccarreta’s former clients are former Marana mayor Bobby Sutton Jr., who went to trial on attempted extortion charges, and NBA star Damon Stoudamire, who was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sutton ended up pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of deprivation of rights under the color of law.
The charges against Stoudamire were dismissed after he submitted two negative drug tests, completed a substance-abuse treatment program and gave the University of Arizona athletic department $45,000 in scholarship funds.
REALLY? So we aren’t all equal under the law, are we?
http://www.childbrides.org/arizona_ADS_Warren_is_Tucson_lawyers_latest_high-profile_client.html
TRUMP 2016. Prosecute Hillary.
Actually, that photo is better than a mugshot, and worth a thousand words. Two self-absorbed people who are more concerned about their Ken and Barbie image/lifestyle than their child’s welfare.
Stoudamire was in possession of a small amount of marijuana, which is a “crime” that will no longer be a crime in this state in a few months, but even in its current status is often addressed with exactly the sort of diversion/treatment/monitoring regime Mr. Silent Majority lays out in his post.
Agreed that CHUMPsters are definitely not the Majority, but maybe you should go back to being Silent until you know WTF you’re talking about…
I knew that would hook one of you. Exercise complete.
Holy Crap. Tucson has the most interesting News people of any small market. A shoplifter, two weathermen “let go” for “problems” (I could go on) and now these two coke heads. How do they pay their drug bill? He is not working on air anymore. Our local TV stations are a joke. I love the crime or accident reports shot at night where the “on the scene” reporter brings us breathless shots of total darkness.
Not to mention the on air reports you can’t hear because of tech-fail. Or the reports where the video is from the next story……Local TV, keeping Tucson Shitty.
Gandalf,you are from a different time and land. But does anyone remember Alpho and the other reporter bimbo putting it up thier nose?!?!?
KR