BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Police say a mom and her two young children have been together on a string of burglaries in Burlington. We first told you about 25 year old Shawna Hosmer in June.
Hosmer walked into a courtroom Thursday to face two new felony charges. She's accused of breaking into two homes with her five year old daughter in tow.
"She has three felony convictions which means she's approaching habitual offender," Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Lam said.
Just three months ago Hosmer appeared on another burglary charge, accused then of having the daughter and her 2 year old son alongside.
"Ms. Hosmer recognizes that she has an issue with addiction, she's been working with the Howard Center," Public Defender Rachel Westropp said.
Police say in the first burglary - Hosmer made off with just three dollars - then on Wednesday, nothing at all, because police say she was caught in the act. Police say the residents at a home on Colchester Avenue and at another on East Avenue confronted the mom and toddler when they found them inside.
Police say Hosmer entered the home through a window - and for that exact reason, prosecutors argued that's why she shouldn't be able to keep her children.
"The child was with her, which means the child was boosted through the window," Lam said.
Hosmer clung to her friend and appeared visibly upset in court. But the judge ended up releasing her and will allow her to take her daughter to and from school - as long as a 23 year old friend, who's been convicted of a crime, acts as Hosmer's responsible adult and is with her 24 hours a day. The mom of two didn't have anything to say Thursday, but back in June, she told me she's trying to clean up her act.
"I don't condone burglary, I don't condone stealing. I'm doing what I gotta do for myself, to better myself," Hosmer said.
Shawna Hosmer faces 33 years in prison. She's due back in court next week.
