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An area woman who cried foul after being criminally charged for taking in an orphaned deer earlier this year recently pleaded guilty and was fined, her attorney said.

Megan Rollison, 25, of 30455 State Route 7, Newport, said in August she feared a young fawn had been orphaned after she found it wandering in her backyard and crying in hunger. She said a large doe was laying dead nearby along the road.

"I did what any person with a heart would have done... I took (the fawn) in and cared for it," Rollison said at the time.

The woman looked after the fawn, which she named "Hank," for one month before wildlife officers came to her home and charged her with illegal possession of a wild animal. She had faced up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

According to Marietta Municipal Court, Rollison reached a plea deal in late October that took away all jail time and fines, but left her to pay $117 in court costs. The case was heard by Judge Janet Dyar-Welch.

The animal was ultimately euthanized by wildlife officers, but exactly how and other details of the case were widely disputed by Rollison and wildlife officials.

Rollison could not be reached for comment over the past several days. Her attorney, Assistant Washington County Public Defender Shawna Landaker said last week her client pleaded guilty, but that she could not comment on the case.

"You'll have to ask her why (she agreed to plead guilty)," she said.

Rollison previously said she was offered a plea deal of a $250 fine, plus court costs. She said she turned down the offer because she felt the case should be dismissed.

Rollison said she planned to release the fawn when it was able to care for itself. She accused wildlife officers of lying to her, claiming they said they would release the animal elsewhere. Instead, she said, the fawn was given a lethal injection outside her home. She also claimed she had contacted Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials when she first found the animal and was told it was "OK" to care for the animal.

Susie Vance, ODNR spokeswoman, said there was no merit to Rollison's allegations.

"I know there was a claim the animal was euthanized at the residence, but we would never euthanize a deer in a person's yard," Vance said. "We understand this is already going to be an emotionally charged situation. The deer was taken to a wildlife area, an unpopulated area, and euthanized according to American Veterinary Medical Association standards."

After reviewing the specifics of the case, Vance indicated the fawn was shot.

This is the first year in Ohio that wildlife officials have made it illegal to attempt to rehabilitate orphaned fawns.

Vance said studies indicated the rate of successful rehabilitation is extremely low.

"Even then, the animals had to be taken to a licensed rehabilitator," she said. "You couldn't take in an animal and attempt to raise it on your own. (Our officer) visited this house several times in an attempt to make contact with (Rollison). Each time he observed the fawn on an enclosed porch, which shows she was definitely keeping it in captivity."

Vance said Rollison initially lied about having the fawn when officers finally did visit the home when she was there.

"She finally admitted to having the fawn, and our officer followed the policy we have for deer found in captivity," Vance said.

Vance said no ODNR official would have instructed Rollison to attempt to care for a wild animal, as the woman claimed.

A review of Marietta Municipal Court records indicates Rollison has prior convictions for shoplifting, hunting or fishing without a license and theft.