Ferguson Jailed After Suicide Attempt

Deputies in Clark County said Vonda Ferguson was booked into jail Saturday afternoon after her suicide attempt in court.

Deputies said she attempted suicide Friday evening as a jury convicted her on 32 counts of child endangerment, permitting child abuse, felonious assault and rape.

Jurors believed Ferguson abused her five adopted children repeatedly from 2000 to 2004.

"Frankly this is one of the most horrific cases of child abuse in Ohio history," Ohio Assistant Attorney General Chris Wagner said.

"The children have been waiting a long time for justice. Justice was rendered and we are very happy," Union County Prosecutor David Phillips said.

Minutes after deputies led Ferguson to a holding cell in the courthouse, paramedics were called to the scene.

"We were getting information from her and we came to find items in her mouth. They were blue pills," Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Phil Sanders said.

Deputies said Ferguson chewed on the pills while she was in the courtroom and a News Center 7 camera caught her putting something in her mouth.

"She said she wasn't guilty so she tried to kill herself," Sanders said.

Deputies swept crushed powder from Ferguson's mouth, but they have no idea how many pills she chewed or swallowed.

A deputy told NewsCenter 7 Ferguson was booked into the Clark County jail Saturday afternoon.

Ferguson will be sentenced on Dec. 7. Her husband, James was convicted of similar charges last year and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

"I told her, there's an appeals process. Killing yourself is not a good appeal," Sanders said.

Ferguson's husband James, was convicted of 26 similar charges last year and is currently serving a 65-year sentence.

Prosecutors will seek a longer penalty for Vonda Ferguson at her Dec. 7 sentencing.