Amber Belade’s mother blames herself for her daughter’s crime spree last year.
Her father blames Belade’s drug addiction, which made her unrecognizable to the family.
But, standing in front of Judge Burton Kaplan in Superior Court in Derby Thursday, Belade, 23, took responsibility for her actions of the last year, when she stole from people in Ansonia, Fairfield and Shelton and mugged a 91-year-old woman in broad daylight in Derby.
Belade knew she was facing a long prison sentence walking into court. She told the judge she wanted to do the least amount of time possible so that she could get out and perhaps become a drug counselor.
“I want to change my life,” she said.
Judge Kaplan sentenced Belade to 15 years in prison. She’ll have to do six years of that sentence, and then go on probation for five years, according to a plea agreement that avoided a trial.
“I think based on what you said, and based on your age, and most importantly based on the fact that you had no record coming in here, you can be rehabilitated,” Judge Kaplan said.
Belade made headlines all over the state when she was arrested in June 2011 for mugging a 91-year-old woman on Chatfield Street near Derby High School. She was also charged in a string of larcenies and burglaries, but the mugging drew outrage throughout the lower Valley.
Her statements in court Thursday were the first time Belade spoke publicly about her crime spree, saying her intense heroin addiction was not excuse.
“I can say I honestly did not know who ‘that’ person was, who I became,” Belade said.
A Mother’s Guilt
Belade’s mother and father spoke on her behalf during the sentencing Thursday.
Tracy Ippolito recalled the trauma her daughter went through as a teen — watching domestic violence between her parents, suffering abuse herself, and dealing with an eating disorder.
Through it all, Ippolito never sought help for Belade, something that now haunts her.
“I didn’t want to believe there was anything wrong with my daughter,” Ippolito said.
Ippolito blamed herself for Belade’s drug addiction.
“I stand here consumed with guilt,” Ippolito said. “Maybe none of this would have happened if I had gotten her the psychiatric help she so desperately needed.”
Ippolito urged the judge to allow Belade to get counseling instead of prison time.
“She has shown strength and courage in the face of adversity,” Ippolito said. “I stand in front of you begging for leniency for my daughter. She deserves a second chance.”
Brian Belade said the woman who committed the burglaries was not the girl he helped raise.
The woman convicted of the crimes is one who was changed by drug addiction, he said.
“She is not the daughter that hurt that elderly woman,” Brian Belade said. “She knows that is not the Belade way. The Belade way is to respect your elders.”
An Apology
Belade apologized to the people she stole from — and to Francis Falcioni, the 91-year-old woman who was injured when Belade knocked her over during the mugging.
“I want to let you know I think of you every day,” Belade said, reading from a letter she wrote to Falcioni. “I pray for your health and well-being.”
To the other victims, Belade said:
“I wanted to send my deepest apologies to you and your families. I’m so very sorry for not only taking your property, but also taking your sense of security.”
None of the victims appeared in Superior Court Thursday for the sentencing.
Robin Smith, Falcioni’s daughter, told the Valley Indy her family is happy that Belade will be imprisoned. They hope she gets some help.
“We are glad she is serving time for this horrendous crime she has committed against the elderly population, not just my mother,” Smith wrote in an e‑mail. “We hope that Amber takes this time and re-evaluates her life, the damage she has done to others and hopefully change her ways.”
State prosecutor Paul Gaetano read a statement from one victim, whom he did not identify.
The incident “scarred me for life,” the victim wrote, “resulting in many sleepless nights, thinking these people will be back again.”
Only one victim asked for restitution — of about $10,275 for unidentified stolen items. Judge Kaplan granted the restitution, but said it would be split with an accomplice, Collin McCarthy, during his sentencing.
‘You Crossed The Line’
While Kaplan was affected by Belade’s remorse, he said her crimes were unacceptable — especially the mugging.
“I am totally offended by the fact that you were involved in a purse snatching with a 91-year-old woman,” Judge Kaplan said.
Burton said he has seen the evils drug addiction can bring, but he called the mugging “inexcusable.”
“And as far as I’m concerned, you crossed the line,” he said.
However, the judge also said Belade’s statement were the most eloquent he had ever heard from a defendant.
“I think that she has a productive life before her,” Judge Kaplan said. “I wish you the best of luck. I hope you realize your dream.”
Belade pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges, including possession of narcotics, second-degree burglary, second-degree robbery and assault on a victim over 60 years old. She also faced several counts of third-degree burglary.
McCarthy, Belade’s accomplice in many of the crimes, faces between six and eight years when he is sentenced on April 27, according to a report in the New Haven Register.
