Poundstone Put on Probation, Banned From Foster Care

October 11, 2001 -- Paula Poundstone's trial for child endangerment ended Wednesday, with the comedian being sentenced to five years probation and no jail time. On the downside, Poundstone, who has two adopted children and three foster children, has been barred from ever being a foster mother again.

The terms of her sentencing also prohibit her from performing her livelihood, stand-up comedy, until after she completes 180 days in a live-in alcohol treatment program. The judge refused to make an exception for the comedian, saying, "I don't want to treat her differently because of her status as someone in the spotlight."

The 41-year-old comedian pleaded no contest to child endangerment charges on Wednesday. The earlier, additional charges of committing a lewd act on a child were dropped by the prosecution last month. Poundstone has denied those charges. Officials have refused to release details of the charge, saying they wanted to protect the children involved.

Drinking and Driving Incident Said to Be Source of Endangerment ChargePoundstone, who entered an alcohol rehabilitation program in June, said in a statement after a sentencing hearing that drinking lay behind the charges, which involved her two adopted children and three foster children. "My drinking helped to create a dangerous situation for the children. For this I am very sorry. For my kids' sake, as well as my own, I am determined to put my alcohol problems behind me," she said. Her lawyer Steven Cron said the child endangerment charge stemmed from an incident in which Poundstone had driven four of her children to an ice cream store while she was intoxicated. She was not cited at the time, and no accident occurred.

Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Bernard Kamins said Poundstone must not hit or strike her children, or use corporal punishment on them. He added, "Your privilege to have foster children is terminated." Kamins wished Poundstone good luck, adding, "I think her humor is unique, and feel it is only going to get better after this life experience." At the very least, she'll have plenty of new material.Reuters contributed to this story.