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CASSOPOLIS — Monica Jean Barrier, 43, of Channel Lane in Edwardsburg, pleaded guilty Friday in Cass County Circuit Court to third offense operating while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances and was sentenced to two years probation, 30 days in jail with credit for 19 days served, $2,478 in fines and costs and $290 in restitution.

The incident occurred Oct. 5, 2023 in Edwardsburg at the intersection of M-62 and U.S. 12. Police found her unconscious in a car and had to break the window to get her out and turn off the engine.

 Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz noted that Barrier has problems with drug and alcohol addiction.

“She made a very foolish decision not to stick with treatment,” he said. “If she doesn’t get treatment, she will continue to wrap up convictions.”

Barrier and her attorney, Ross Holec, acknowledged that Barrier left treatment court the same day she started it because she didn’t want to be separated from her family. They dropped her request for a delayed sentence which would have allowed her to do have the charge reduced to a misdemeanor after completing a probation.

Holec said that the time Barrier has spent in jail has been a wake up call for her.

“The message has gotten through to her that she doesn’t want to be in jail,” he said.

Barrier said a person close to her had died from a drug overdose and sent her into “a really dark place” where she attempted suicide. She said that getting grief counseling has turned her life around.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman told her she is fortunate to be alive.

“Don’t fool yourself that just counseling will cut it with you,” he said. “… When you’re behind the wheel, not only can you overdoes but you could kill somebody else.”