ESCANABA — A Gwinn woman who recently lost her parental rights to her children was ordered to eight months in jail during her sentencing on a drug charge in Delta County Circuit Court in Escanaba on Tuesday.

Erin Marie Barabe, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing less than 25 grams of a narcotic, a four-year felony. She was given credit for serving 158 days in jail, or approximately five months.

Barabe was originally charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine, a 10-year felony, stemming from a Sept. 15, 2017, incident in Delta County when police found meth in a pipe during a traffic stop. Following her arrest, she was lodged in jail in lieu of 10 percent of an $85,000 bond.

In exchange for Barabe pleading guilty to the four-year drug felony, the prosecution agreed to dismiss the 10-year felony, as well as a fourth offense habitual offender notice.

Prior to sentencing the defendant, Judge John Economopoulos noted Barabe has a past history of drug use, which has contributed to her losing her parental rights to her kids.

“Your addiction has cost you dearly,” the judge said. “You sacrificed your children… Your children were adopted.”

Economopoulos told Barabe that her time in jail is an opportunity for sobriety, while her time out of jail will be more difficult because of her drug addiction.

Barabe’s attorney, John M.A. Bergman, admitted his client has a history of drug abuse and told the court she wants to move forward to sobriety.

In addition to jail, Barabe was also ordered to pay a total of $698 in fines and costs.