Courtesy Photo­Image Lacy Jay Beyer

Courtesy Photo­Image Bryson Lee Eyton

Two of the so-called “kid kennelers,” Lacy Jay Beyer and Bryson Lee Eyten, appeared in Lincoln County Court Thursday and pled no contest to sharply reduced charges of misdemeanor child abuse and false imprisonment.

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Both Beyer and Eyten were sentenced to one year probation, and Lincoln County Judge Michael Piccolo said they must attend counseling if their probation officer deems it necessary.

The court is awaiting a report from the probation officer. Eyten is also attending parenting classes, defense attorney Mike Nozicka told Piccolo.

In what became a national story, police found two young children locked in a dog kennel Oct 25 in the home of Beyer, Ashly Clark, Bryson and Samantha Eyton. Police said the home and yard were littered with trash, dirty clothes, food, animal feces and urine.

All four were charged with felony child abuse and false imprisonment.

As the case progressed, key evidence was tossed out because the accused were not advised of their Miranda Rights when they were arrested, so statements they made during later interviews – in particular an interview the next day with Health and Human Service workers – was inadmissible.

The two were convicted of Class 1 misdemeanors, which each charge carrying a maximum penalty of a year in jail and $1,000 fine and a minimum of no penalty.

All four of the “kid kenneler” defendants are scheduled to appear Monday in Lincoln County District Court, although a clerk said that schedule is subject to updates.

Prosecutors did not respond Thursday afternoon to the Bulletin's requests for comments.