Updated 12/18/2007 10:30 PM
Quets gets probation, no prison time
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RALEIGH -- The woman accused of kidnapping her two children that she gave up for adoption is free. Allison Quets walked out of the Federal Building in downtown Raleigh Tuesday afternoon.
The Federal Court sentenced her to five years probation with a host of penalties.
In September, Quets pleaded guilty to two counts of international kidnapping. She took her biological twins, Holly and Tyler, from their adoptive parents, Kevin and Denise Needham of Apex, and then fled to Canada.
"I regret going to Canada, yes,” Quets said to reporters outside the Federal Building when asked if the woman had any regrets. Quets has already served eight months and 26 days in jail. It's time the courts took into consideration during her sentencing.
Allison Quets
Friends of the Needham’s feel the probation will prevent Quets from committing any other crimes.
"I am pleased with how it went. With the probation, at least she'll be watched," said Kat Moncol after the sentencing.
Under the terms of her probation, Quets can't have contact with the children or their adoptive parents. Her international traveling rights have also been taken away even though she's allowed to go from state to state with permission from her probation officer.
During her probation, she has to undergo mental health treatment and must pay $180 back to the Needham family. That's how much money the Needham’s spent on their hotel and meals when they went to get their twins back.
Quets also has to fork over $15,000 to the government, money she says would have gone toward her kid’s college education.
"I'm delighted that she does not have to go back to jail or prison. That's what we came here for and we got that. I was not anticipating a $15,000 fine but it could have been a lot worse,” said defense attorney Jim Craven.
Quets has filed a civil suit against the Needham family. If she gets her way, she'll be able to see her children, with a supervisor present. The civil case is set for Jan. 2.
Meanwhile, friends of the Needham’s say things are just getting back to normal for the family.